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Cruise News - June 10, 2013

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The unprecedented musical welcome, conducted by Callow, was answered back by Royal Princess with its own special horn that plays the first notes of the theme song from the TV show "The Love Boat."

"What an extraordinary welcome Royal Princess received for her arrival in Southampton," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "Starting the week off with this amazing musical orchestra offered the perfect way to tune up for a naming ceremony that will celebrate with many special musical performances."

The June 13 naming event will feature not only the christening by The Duchess, but also star-studded musical entertainment including British pop singer Natasha Bedingfield singing her hit "Unwritten," as well as a performance by British actress and "the first lady of London's West End," Kerry Ellis. The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth and The Pipe Band of 1st Battalion Irish Guards will open the event with the pomp and ceremony of British ship-naming traditions.

The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is a new-generation ship. Among the special features found on board is a dramatic multi-story atrium serving as the social hub of the ship offering a host of dining and entertainment options; an over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on water; the new Princess Live! television studio; the largest pastry shop at sea; a special Chef's Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms.

Come November, Crystal will have spent $52 million on Crystal Serenity's Extreme Makeover in the past two years and almost $120 million on the Extreme Makeover of its fleet in recent years.

"Our redesigns aren't merely new fabrics and soft goods. It is indeed extreme when you take out pools, tear down walls and completely re-invent spaces to create new chic, contemporary, and exceptionally welcoming and comfortable public areas and accommodations," says Crystal President Gregg Michel. "While we are honored we have won respected design awards for our remodels, we are even more gratified by the response from our guests – international travelers who have an eye for style and appreciate fine design in their lifestyle and when they vacation."

Lido Deck - London's Adfecto design firm was inspired by Santa Barbara's casual, yet cultured, "American Riviera" vibe for the transformation of the ship's spacious Lido deck. Natural stones, wrought iron, and an array of blues set the resort-like tone for space's major reconfiguration that will remove its indoor pool and Tastes kitchen, move the ice cream bar to the Trident Grill, and add more sofa seating, an open kitchen, and a cocktail bar. In addition, four "living walls" and additional greenery surrounding the Trident lounge area will bring the outdoors in.

As with Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity's Lido cafe will be redesigned with modern food islands replacing long buffet counters, more tables for two, and a fresh baked goods kitchen. A new, cherry wood dance floor will also be installed in the Palm Court, the ship's largest gathering place for drinks and dancing.

Crystal Penthouses - Toronto's II BY IV, the firm that won major design awards for its previous remodel of Crystal Serenity's staterooms, is redefining the ship's four top suites with clean lines, classic simplicity, and refined elegance in a dramatic ultra-contemporary remodel. Interiors of the butler-serviced, 1,345 square-feet residences will be gutted and spaces completely reconfigured. The dining area will move closer to the floor-to-ceiling windows and the private outdoor deck, while the former dining room will now hold a den/library/media room with a queen-sized sleeper sofa and closet. With a new shower added to the guest powder room, the space can function as a second bedroom, ideal for families and couples traveling together. The Penthouse also features a spacious living room and butler's pantry with private entrance.

The master bedroom will be made over with luxurious bedding, curtains, two entrances, and a new seating area. The master bath will feature marble, mosaics, a walk-in glass shower, and two waterproof Aquavision TV's, one embedded in the mirror, and one by the large window-side Jacuzzi tub.

In keeping with modern tech living, the CP's will feature three flat screen TV's, including a 3-D TV, plus a surround sound audio system, iPod docking stations, and increased wall outlets.

With more than 700 different jobs scheduled to be completed during the 13 days, the 500+ contractor crew and several hundred Crystal crew will also be working round-the-clock to thoroughly deep clean the ship, repaint exteriors, refurbish the "port pod," add energy-saving LED lighting in public areas and crew offices, and more.

Crystal Serenity's first voyage after completing dry dock will be a 12-day November 27 Lisbon-Barcelona cruise through the Canary Islands, followed by Transatlantic crossing to the Americas, a Christmas/New Year's voyage in the Caribbean, and the annual World Cruise – an 89-day ultimate luxury adventure from LA to London, starting January 18.

Carnival Cruise Lines has completed all necessary repairs and invested thousands of man hours and $115 million to enhance and upgrade Carnival Triumph. This includes significant enhancements to the ship’s emergency power capabilities, introducing new fire safety technology and improving the level of operating redundancies.

After the Carnival Triumph fire in February 2013, the company launched a comprehensive operational review of its 24 ships. On April 17, Carnival announced a $300 million fleetwide program to expand the availability of hotel services for the comfort of its guests in the rare instance of a shipboard event that involves the loss of power and to reinforce key shipboard operating systems to prevent a potential loss of primary power. The initiative includes:
• Upgrades to the latest, most technologically advanced fire suppression systems.
• A second emergency back-up generator on every ship to effectively power key hotel systems including toilets, elevators and food service equipment in the highly unlikely event of a loss of main power.
• Reconfiguration of key systems to ensure redundancy in propulsion and main power supplies

In addition to those operational enhancements, while in dry dock Carnival Triumph received many of the latest Fun Ship 2.0 amenities, including:
• Guy’s Burger Joint, a complimentary poolside venue serving fresh-made burgers and hand-cut fries created by Food Network personality and chef Guy Fieri.
• BlueIguana Cantina, a free-of-charge Mexican cantina with custom-made tacos and burritos that can be personalized by diners at an extensive salsa and toppings bar.
• RedFrog Rum Bar, a poolside Caribbean-themed watering hole offering a variety of the region’s top rums and beers in a laid-back island-infused atmosphere.
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar, a lively and engaging poolside bar serving frozen cocktails and Mexican beers in a fun and festive environment.
• Alchemy Bar, a cocktail “pharmacy” where highly trained mixologists create custom cocktails using interesting flavors and ingredients. EA SPORTS Bar, an interactive sports-themed lounge where patrons can view live action, play popular EA SPORTS video games and keep up with the latest scores.

On its year-round schedule from Galveston, Carnival Triumph departs Thursdays on four-day cruises to Cozumel and Mondays and Saturdays on five-day voyages to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico

This is another exciting first for the port of Southampton, which will also play host in 2014 to the world’s largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, on its first ever European season and transatlantic sailing out of a UK port of call, which generated the highest ever volume of pre-booking registrations ever seen by Royal Caribbean International.

Quantum of the Seas will offer even more game-changing “firsts at sea” and guests will be thrilled by the unprecedented “WOWs” on-board, including a skydiving experience, a thrilling adventure that transports guests more than 300 feet in the air; cutting-edge venues such as the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars and roller skating and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever. For an overview about new innovative at-sea “firsts” that will be aboard Quantum of the Seas, please see http://tinyurl.com/avdzrws.

Building on a legacy of more than 40 years of innovation and creative design, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class of ships will introduce more innovative on-board features, such as RipCord by iFLY, the first skydiving experience at sea, which allows everyone from first-time flyers to seasoned skydivers to enjoy the sheer thrill and exhilaration of skydiving in a safe, controlled and simulated environment. North Star, an engineering marvel, will take guests to new heights – literally – with a jewel-shaped, glass capsule, transporting them on a spectacular journey more than 300 feet above the ocean and over the sides of the ship to deliver awe-inspiring 360-degree views.

The new Quantum class ships will also introduce new venues, including Two70°, a multi-level great room named for its incredible 270-degree sea views through three-deck high, floor-to-ceiling glass walls at the stern of the ship; SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and a circus school with trapeze; and Music Hall, a two-story live music venue.

Quantum class ships also will offer Royal Caribbean International’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever, including the industry’s first interior staterooms with Virtual Balconies, ensuring every stateroom on Quantum of the Seas will have a view. For multi-generational families, Family-Connected staterooms deliver more flexibility, using three different stateroom categories that connect to form a layout that provides separate bedrooms and bathrooms for all. Royal Caribbean International will introduce new Studio staterooms – some featuring balconies – for single travelers, three new Junior Suite categories, and larger Loft Suites. For an overview of Quantum of the Seas’ new stateroom concepts, please see http://tinyurl.com/a2obdob.

Quantum class will debut in autumn 2014 with Quantum of the Seas, followed by her sister-ship Anthem of the Seas in spring 2015. Quantum ships span 16 decks, encompass 167,800 gross registered tons, carry 4,180 guests at double occupancy and feature 2,090 staterooms.

Many suggested at the time that these drops were likely a temporary setback, and that perceptions would soon bounce back. However, a recent Harris Poll of 2,052 U.S. adults surveyed online between May 14 and 16, 2013 (prior to the recent fire aboard Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas) by Harris Interactive , finds that perceptions for the top cruise industry brands have not only remained below their pre incident levels, but have continued to decline.

Results are compared, where applicable, to Harris Poll EquiTrend® data collected from January 11, 2013 to February 8, 2013 (the Carnival Triumph incident lasted from February 10-14, 2013) and a Harris Poll of 2,230 U.S. adults surveyed online between February 19 and 21, 2013.

Looking at specific perceptual measures, the average perceived Quality score across the seven brands tested is down by 13% vs. its pre incident level and 6% compared to the post incident wave of testing. While Carnival's Quality score shows the steepest declines (down 28% vs. pre and 12% vs. post), all of the other brands tested ranged individually from 8%-11% below pre levels.

The average Trust score across the seven brands tested is also down in comparison to both pre (down 12%) and post (down 5%) incident; as with Quality, Trust shows the steepest decline for Carnival Cruise Lines (down 26% vs. pre, 11% vs. post). However, the six other brands tested remain between 8%-12% below pre incident Trust levels.

Purchase Intent has declined, on average, 11% from its pre incident level (and 5% from its post incident level). While this again affects most of the brands tested (with most down between 7%-15% vs. pre levels), it is worth noting that Holland America's Purchase Intent score has largely weathered this perceptual storm, holding at just 2% below its pre level. Carnival is again hardest hit, down 20% vs. pre, 8% vs. post.

Revisiting statements comparing the cruise industry to air travel – a comparison first made in the aforementioned February Harris Poll – Americans' inclination to favor air travel over cruises has only increased. Over six in ten Americans (62%) agree that air travel is much more reliable than taking cruises (up from 57% in February), and the majority (56%) agree that air travel is much safer than taking cruises (up from 50% in February).

Roughly half of Americans (51%, roughly even with February's 53%) agree that they're less likely to take a cruise now than they were a year ago, with this sentiment once again proving stronger among those who have never taken a cruise (56%) than among those who have (43%).

One-third of Americans (32%) agree that cruises are "worry-free," down slightly from 35% in February, with past cruise experience again appearing to have a considerable impact on this perception: those who have taken a cruise (51%) are again more than twice as likely to agree that cruises are "worry free" as those who have not (22%).

"When we first addressed this topic in March, even we were open to the idea that a 'recency bias' of sorts might be impacting the results so soon after the Triumph fiasco, creating a low tide for the industry as a whole," concedes Harris Poll Insights Vice President Deana Percassi. "But these more recent findings, coupled with reports of heavily discounted pricing on Carnival cruises, indicate that the industry as a whole, as well as the Carnival brand specifically, may still be facing rough seas."

Responsible for more than 267 million cases of acute gastroenteritis worldwide each year, norovirus can be contracted from contaminated food or water, human touch and contact with contaminated surfaces. Although healthcare facilities are the most commonly reported settings for norovirus outbreaks in the United States, over 90% of diarrheal disease outbreaks on cruise ships are caused by this germ. In 2012 alone, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported over 3,000 cases of norovirus among cruise ships.

But, how does copper help? A recent study conducted by Professor Bill Keevil, Chair in Environmental Healthcare at the University of Southampton in the U.K., demonstrated that norovirus was rapidly killed on copper and copper-alloy surfaces as a result of antimicrobial properties in the metal. Taking his findings to the U.S., Keevil presented his study at the 2013 America Society of Microbiology annual meeting in Denver, CO earlier this year.

In the United States, 27 million people contract norovirus each year, resulting in 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping caused by inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

"What makes norovirus difficult to control is the fact that it is resistant to many disinfectants," said Harold Michels, Senior Vice President of Technology and Technical Services at the Copper Development Association. "These high-risk areas, such as cruise ships, should turn to copper-alloy surfaces, which can lower the chance of an outbreak."

Antimicrobial Copper has been scientifically proven to continuously kill more than 99.9%* of bacteria within two hours of exposure including: MRSA, Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli O157:H7. The addition of copper surfaces can help make any cruise safer.

"To date, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered more than 400 copper based alloys—such as brass and bronze—as public health antimicrobial products," said Michels. "From doorknobs to armrests, copper products represent a breakthrough in terms of human health."

In fact, another recently published study in the SHEA Journal of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology has revealed that the use of Antimicrobial Copper surfaces in hospital rooms can reduce the number of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) by 58% as compared to patients treated in Intensive Care Units with non-copper touch surfaces, making the case for hospitals to install Antimicrobial Copper products to engineer safety into their patient care.

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	32.47	- 0.58%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	34.17	- 2.09%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	3.74	- 2.86%
Norwegian Cruise Line (Nasdq: NCLH)	31.17	- 0.57%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
Name the two ships that were involved in the only war-time battle between oceanliners? The battle occurred off the coast of Trinidad and one of the liners was sunk.

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question - Which passenger/cruise ships had, at one time, a glass bottom to view marine life? Hint: The ships are still in service today.

Answer - The Seabourn Pride and Seabourn Spirit had the glass bottom to "view" the marine life below.
courtesy of Rob Alderman

Cruise News - June 3, 2013

Key changes are the creation of new marketing director and insight director roles alongside the existing positions of international development director, sales & customer services director, and commercial director.

Gerard Tempest said: "This is an exciting time for Cunard Line, and this new structure has been designed to deliver the many opportunities ahead of us."

Tempest is a member of an executive team led by CEO David Dingle, responsible for both Cunard Line and its UK-based sister company P&O Cruises, and as part of this organisational change, a similar new structure is also being created for P&O Cruises.

As a consequence, and after very careful consideration, the role of Cunard president & managing director will cease to exist, and Peter Shanks will be leaving the business at the end of September. Peter joined the business in 2002 and has held pivotal leadership roles within Cunard, Ocean Village and Princess Cruises UK. Peter has been instrumental in the growth and transformation of the Cunard business into the success that it is today, overseeing the launches of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow will also be leaving the business at the end of September. Carol joined the business in 1997 and over her 16 years with the organisation has successfully led a number of brands including Swan Hellenic, Princess Cruises UK, Cunard and P&O Cruises, Britain's leading cruise line. Carol has directed the launch of five new ships, driving growth and building our brands around the needs of our customers, to whom she is well known.

Tempest continues, "I would like to thank both Peter and Carol for their very significant contributions to the success of the business over many years and wish them every success in their future endeavours.

"North America is a very important market for Cunard and the recent strengthening of our management team there through the appointment of Stanley Birge as vice president, reporting to David Rousham (international development director), demonstrates our deep and longstanding commitment to the North American market."

The recruitment of the new insight director and of marketing directors for both Cunard and P&O Cruises is already at an advanced stage, and a further announcement will be made shortly.

As a result of these changes David Dingle formally assumes the titles of CEO Cunard Line and CEO P&O Cruises.

Affected guests and their travel agents have been notified with in-depth details. Royal Caribbean said that it was compensating guests, and will honor travel agent commission earned on cancelled sailings.

Royal Caribbean also released a statement saying that they estimate that the direct financial impact of this event, net of insurance, is a reduction of $0.10 per share. "The extent of the financial impact was relatively high because the affected sailings were during the premium summer season," said Jason Liberty, senior vice president and chief financial officer. The ship is expected to return to service for its July 12, 2013 sailing date.

"We are gratified that no one was hurt and that the safety and comfort systems performed exactly as designed," said Adam Goldstein, president and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean International. "I extend my appreciation to our crew who performed so well, as well as to our guests who have been cooperative, understanding and highly complimentary of the shipboard team throughout," Goldstein continued.

Celebrity claims that the lobsters "were purchased legally during the season from local fishermen certified by the Park, and that no purchases of lobsters were made out of season." Galapagos National Park officials apparently confirmed this but a new regulation requires that all lobsters be consumed within five days of the end of season. Celebrity claims that they were unaware of the new regulation when they were originally cited on March 11th and it appears that the regulation was not published until April 22nd. Celebrity said that it is appealing the $2,000 fine and suspension.

In a statement, Celebrity Cruises said that "it is truly sorry for this unexpected impact on our guests’ vacation. We understand their excitement and anticipation for exploring the Galapagos onboard Celebrity Xpedition. Celebrity Cruises is committed to complying with the rules and regulations of the Galapagos, which are put in place to protect and safeguard this unique and pristine environment."

The statement also said that while the cruise line was working to have their license to sail in the Galapagos restored sooner, the situation is still fluid. The cruise line will be contacting guests booked on the June 16 sailing to provide them with the most updated information.

The company recently unveiled details of this new class of ship and was gratified by the public response to the design innovations. It also said that the new design included an advantageous configuration which includes a greater proportion of higher priced staterooms and that it achieves some of the greatest energy efficiencies at sea.

"We are creating a compelling experience for vacationers with innovative design, winning service, and appealing destinations around the world," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Brian J. Rice, vice chairman added, "This order follows our stated goals of moderate growth, driving improved returns and leading to an investment grade rating."

"We are encouraged by the very positive response we received from travel agents and consumers when we first announced some of the unprecedented offerings on Quantum Class last month," said Adam Goldstein, president and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean International. "The Quantum class will offer vacationers more unexpected activities in the most extraordinary spaces, and a third ship will offer even more opportunities for vacationers to experience Quantum cruising."

The yet-unnamed Quantum-class vessel will join the Royal Caribbean International fleet, alongside Quantum of the Seas, which will make its maiden voyage in 2014, and Anthem of the Seas, scheduled to debut in 2015.

Quantum ships span 16 decks, encompass 167,800 gross registered tons, carry 4,180 guests at double occupancy and feature 2,090 staterooms. Quantum cruising will dazzle guests with never-before onboard features, such as a skydiving experience, a thrilling adventure that transports guests more than 300 feet in the air on a breathtaking journey; cutting-edge transformative venues including the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line's largest and most advanced staterooms. These new, larger staterooms enable innovation in design, storage and comfort, including the industry's first interior staterooms with Virtual Balconies, ensuring that every stateroom on Quantum of the Seas will have a view.

"We are excited to construct these tremendous ships to meet guests' demand for an exceptional cruise experience," said Bernard Meyer, managing partner Meyer Werft. Meyer continued, "And we are honored by our long partnership with Royal Caribbean, a true innovator in modern ship design."

Including today's contract and existing ship orders, projected capital expenditures for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are $700 million, $1.2 billion, $1.2 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively. Including Quantum III, the company's capacity growth rate from 2012 to 2017 will be approximately 4% per annum.

Princess Cruises president and CEO Alan Buckelew kicked off the initiative yesterday in Washington DC by recording his own story as a soldier in Vietnam. Buckelew was in the nation’s capital to speak at the Memorial Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Throughout this special voyage departing November 5, veterans will be offered the opportunity to be recorded on video to capture as many first-hand accounts as possible. In addition, the professionals from the Library of Congress will be onboard to train passengers to record the histories of their family and friends who have served. Passengers will get tips on how to record the histories and learn to preserve these important stories for posterity.

“It’s so important to record the wartime experience from many points of view, and we’re pleased that representatives from the Veteran’s History Project will be with us to capture remembrances from as many of the veterans cruising with us as possible.” said Buckelew. “We’re honored to play a role in helping to preserve veterans’ memories for future generations.”

The Veterans History Project (VHP) of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center is primarily an oral history program that collects and preserves the first-hand interviews of America's wartime veterans. VHP relies on volunteers, both individuals and organizations, throughout the nation to contribute veterans’ stories to VHP. In addition to audio- and video-recorded interviews, VHP accepts memoirs, collections of original photographs and letters, diaries, maps, and other historical documents from World War I through current conflicts. More information about the project is available at: http://www.loc.gov/vets/

Princess’ first-ever fundraising cruise will sail November 5-9, 2013 roundtrip from Houston aboard Caribbean Princess to the Western Caribbean. The sailing is expected to generate $1 million for two organizations committed to U.S. veterans – Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Inc. and Operation Homefront Inc. In addition to the Veterans History Project, a number of special guests will be aboard, including former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen (Ret.); retired senior officers from the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force; an award-winning war correspondent; and other respected speakers, authors and panelists. More information and the latest line-up of special guests can be found at http://www.princess.com/cruisingforacause/.

The cruise will offer passengers the opportunity to honor those who have served in the military as well as active duty military personnel. In addition to the line-up of impressive military guests and speakers, there will be special performers, celebrities, unique topic panels and a military film festival. Princess will offer onboard activities such as a Stars and Stripes Sailaway, a military themed show, a Red, White and Blue Gala, and more – to celebrate U.S. veterans.

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	32.66	- 1.03%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	34.90	- 2.27%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	3.85	- 1.03%
Norwegian Cruise Line (Nasdq: NCLH)	31.35	- 1.26%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
Which passenger/cruise ships had, at one time, a glass bottom to view marine life? Hint: The ships are still in service today.

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question - Which liner featured a lounge called the "Boat 'n' Bottle Bar"?.

Answer - The Liner with the Boat 'n' Bottle Bar was the American Export Lines 'Constitution.
courtesy of Peter Natel

Cruise News - May 27, 2013

In an abundance of caution, the Captain deemed it necessary to muster all guests to their assembly stations during the incident. All 2,224 guests and 796 crew were accounted for, and guests were allowed to return to most staterooms and public areas.

In statement, Royal Caribbean said "The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority, and we will continue to focus on their immediate needs and concerns. Medical staff has responded to several calls for medical assistance, but none of them have been medical emergencies. The calls have included fainting, reports of high blood pressure and an ankle sprain."

Throughout the incident, the ship's power, propulsion and communications systems functioned uninterrupted. Grandeur of the Seas was on a seven-night sailing that departed Baltimore, Maryland, on May 24, with scheduled port calls at Port Canaveral, Florida; CocoCay and Nassau.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that the ship put out the flames using equipment onboard, though two of its craft responded to the scene along with the cruise ship Carnival Sensation to stand by and assist if needed.

“The Cutter Cormorant and the Cutter Yered safely escorted the Grandeur of the Seas to Freeport, Bahamas, where it is currently moored for further evaluation,” the Coast Guard said Monday afternoon. “The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are joining the flag state [the Bahamas] to begin conducting a joint investigation of the vessel to determine the cause of the fire.”

The Coast Guard categorized the blaze as “Class A,” meaning it broke out in solid combustible materials like wood or plastic and didn't involve fuel or other flammable liquids.

Following an inspection of Grandeur of the Seas in Freeport, Royal Caribbean announced that rest of the current sailing would be cancelled and that the May 31, 2013 sailing from Baltimore, Maryland, would also be cancelled to allow for repairs to damages sustained as a result of a fire.

Royal Caribbean chartered aircraft to return the passengers stranded in Freeport to its home port of Baltimore. Royal Caribbean said that passengers would receive a full refund of the cruise fare as well as a certificate good for a future cruise .

Guests booked on the May 31 sailing will be provided a full refund of the cruise fare paid for their sailing. Royal Caribbean also will provide these guests with the opportunity to sail in the future by providing a future cruise certificate for 50 percent of the cruise fare paid for the May 31, 2013, Grandeur of the Seas sailing.

Grandeur of the Seas was launched in December 1996 and recently refurbished in May 2012. Grandeur of the Seas has a maximum capacity of 2,446 guests; measures 916 ft. long and 105.6 ft. in width; and has a cruising speed of 19 knots.

The CEOs of CLIA North American member cruise lines are each immediately verifying in writing that they have adopted the Passenger Bill of Rights, which is a condition of membership in the Association. CLIA also will submit the Passenger Bill of Rights to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), requesting formal global recognition and applicability under the IMO's authority over the international maritime industry. The Passenger Bill of Rights will be effective immediately for U.S. passengers who purchase their cruise in North America on CLIA's North American member cruise lines, regardless of itinerary.

CLIA and its member cruise lines are actively communicating the Passenger Bill of Rights to the public and cruise line guests. CLIA and its member lines will post the Passenger Bill of Rights on their respective websites, and CLIA has provided to its nearly 14,000 travel agent members materials to communicate the Passenger Bill of Rights to current and prospective customers looking to book a cruise.

"The Cruise Industry Passenger Bill of Rights codifies many longstanding practices of CLIA members and goes beyond those to further inform cruise guests of the industry's commitment to their comfort and care," said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA. "By formally adopting industry practices into a 'Passenger Bill of Rights,' CLIA is further demonstrating consistent practices and transparency across CLIA member lines. The cruise industry is committed to continuing to deliver against the high standards we set for ourselves in all areas of shipboard operations."

In addition to adopting the Passenger Bill of Rights, other recent and proactive initiatives by the cruise industry to focus on passenger safety, comfort and care include:
• Establishment of an industry-wide Operational Safety Review in 2012 resulting in the adoption of 10 safety-related policies that were submitted to the IMO;
• Launch of a Preparedness Risk Assessment in March 2013 to review and address redundancies related to power systems that provide essential services in the rare event of a loss of main power; and,
• Successful completion in early April of a multi-day emergency drill involving authorities from the U.S. and Bahamian governments, led by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Following is the full text of the Passenger Bill of Rights, as adopted by CLIA's members unanimously.

INTERNATIONAL CRUISE LINE PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS

The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. To fulfill this commitment, our Members have agreed to adopt the following set of passenger rights:

1. The right to disembark a docked ship if essential provisions such as food, water, restroom facilities and access to medical care cannot adequately be provided onboard, subject only to the Master's concern for passenger safety and security and customs and immigration requirements of the port.
2. The right to a full refund for a trip that is canceled due to mechanical failures, or a partial refund for voyages that are terminated early due to those failures.
3. The right to have available on board ships operating beyond rivers or coastal waters full-time, professional emergency medical attention, as needed until shore side medical care becomes available.
4. The right to timely information updates as to any adjustments in the itinerary of the ship in the event of a mechanical failure or emergency, as well as timely updates of the status of efforts to address mechanical failures.
5. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures.
6. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure.
7. The right to transportation to the ship's scheduled port of disembarkation or the passenger's home city in the event a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures.
8. The right to lodging if disembarkation and an overnight stay in an unscheduled port are required when a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures.
9. The right to have included on each cruise line's website a toll-free phone line that can be used for questions or information concerning any aspect of shipboard operations.
10. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each line's website.

Carnival Dream deviated course and lowered one of its lifeboats to bring two Bahamian mariners on board. The two passengers from the small craft were provided food and water and evaluated by the Carnival Dream’s medical staff. PLater that evening, Carnival Dream rendezvoused with a USCG cutter and transferred the two mariners near Miami.

Carnival Dream, which is currently on a seven-day voyage that departed from Port Canaveral, Fla., on Saturday, continued on with its cruise and arrived in Cozumel, its first scheduled port of call, this morning.

Carnival Dream operates year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral.

Peter Brust will report to Cees Deelstra, vice president, nautical operations. As fleet security director, he is responsible for the security operations aboard Holland America Line’s fleet of 15 ships and Seabourn’s fleet of six ships, as well as all turnaround ports and the headquarters office in Seattle. Additionally, Brust ensures that both companies are in compliance with all security directives from governments and other regulatory agencies regarding terminal, ship, crew and passenger security practices and procedures.

Most recently Brust was vice president at Guardsmark security services. Prior to that, he was Deputy Superintendent at the Chicago Police Department and retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation after 22 years. He served in the U.S. Army and holds a Juris Doctor from the John Marshall Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Sciences from Illinois State University.

Holly Love also reports to Cees Deelstra, vice president, nautical operations. In the role of director, medical services, she is responsible for hiring, training and supervising all Holland America Line and Seabourn onboard medical personnel to ensure that guests and crew are always provided high quality medical care, working with governmental agencies on medical-related issues and ensuring that both shipboard and shoreside staff are able to promptly and professionally respond to all medical situations.

Love has extensive experience in various positions in direct patient medical care and management in the medical air transportation business. Most recently she held a director position at an air ambulance company in Portland, Ore. She also sailed for six years as a medical officer on Holland America Line ships. Love holds a bachelor’s degree in the Science of Nursing and is a registered nurse.

Eric Chamberlin reports to Mike Inman, vice president of safety and environment management systems. He is responsible for coordinating Holland America Line and Seabourn’s safety and environmental management systems, policy development and emergency response planning and coordination.

Chamberlin joins the company after nearly 29 years in the U.S. Coast Guard where he worked through the ranks as a seagoing deck officer. When not serving on ships, Chamberlin was an assistant professor of electrical engineering at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, coordinated law enforcement and international operations in the eastern Caribbean, acted as the Coast Guard liaison to the U.S. State Department and worked in ship and system acquisition and logistics, strategy development and coordination of regional operations in the Pacific Northwest. Chamberlin has a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in both electrical engineering and national resources strategy

The lineup also includes Princess’ first-ever World Cruise sailing roundtrip from North America and additional capacity in Tahiti & the South Pacific. In Australia, Princess will continue to offer the biggest choice of ships, homeports and itineraries with four ships deployed in the region. The West Africa itinerary, returning to the lineup due to popular demand, will add a new port to Princess’ roster of more than 300 around the world, with a maiden call to the island nation of São Tomé.

In total, the fall 2014 to spring 2015 program spans six continents and calls to more than 145 worldwide destinations. Eight ships will cover the globe with 114 departures of 37 itinerary options.

“Worldwide cruising has long been a Princess specialty,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “Our expertise in these exciting destinations offers passengers the perfect way to check that ‘must-see’ place off their bucket list.”

Princess’ 2014-15 Exotics program includes:

Asia & Africa

• Sapphire Princess in Asia – Sailing between Beijing and Bangkok or Singapore, the 17-day Grand Asia itinerary is the line’s most popular Asia cruise. Sapphire Princess will offer three departures in fall 2014 – each including an overnight stay in spectacular Hong Kong as well as calls to Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City, Busan, and Nagasaki. Cruise departures run from October 7 to November 10, 2014.

• Ocean Princess to Asia and Africa – Small ship Ocean Princess sails through the Indian Ocean along the coast of West Africa in spring 2015. The ship’s 32-day Singapore to Cape Town voyage is followed by a 30-day Cape Town to London (Dover) voyage featuring visits to a number of intriguing destinations in West Africa. True world travelers can combine these voyages for a 62-day cruise to a variety of exotic calls such as Ghana, Togo, Namibia, Senegal, and Princess’ maiden call to the island nation of São Tomé. Sailings depart April 3 and May 5, 2015.

• Land & Sea Vacations – In Asia, passengers can add to their cruise with a land tour to the top attractions in China – including UNESCO sites like Beijing’s Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, The Great Wall, Xian and the Terra Cotta Warriors – as well as three nights on a Yangtze River cruise.

Australia & New Zealand

• Diamond Princess in Australia & New Zealand – The ship once again sails on this favorite itinerary between Sydney and Auckland. The 12- or 13-day voyages include calls in both countries, and spectacular cruising through the dramatic Fiordland National Park. Departures run from December 16, 2014 through February 15, 2015.

• Diamond Princess Round Australia – For the first time, Diamond Princess offer a full 28-day circumnavigation of the Australian continent. Featuring Princess’ largest ship ever on this route, the Sydney to Sydney voyage offers two departures – November 18, 2014 and February 27, 2015.

• Australia Homeport Cruising – Sun Princess, Sea Princess and Dawn Princess will offer sailings from three homeports – Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne – on a series of New Zealand, Fiji, South Pacific and Tasmania cruises geared especially for local tastes.

• Australia & Asia – Diamond Princess and Ocean Princess offer Australia & Asia departures between Sydney and Singapore featuring the Northern Territory, Queensland as well as ports in Vietnam and Indonesia.

• Land & Sea Vacations – Travelers can add more of the wonders of Australia with land tours that visit iconic UNESCO sites such as Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kakadu National Park in the Outback, the Great Barrier Reef, and cosmopolitan Sydney.

Tahiti & South Pacific

• Small Ship Cruising in French Polynesia – Princess returns to the blue waters of Tahiti & Polynesia with two ships for increased capacity in to this beautiful destination. Intimate sister ships Pacific Princess and Ocean Princess offer the small ship cruising experience in fall and spring on a 10-day Tahiti & French Polynesia itinerary roundtrip from Tahiti (Papeete). Each departure includes two full days in Bora Bora as well as Moorea, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Huahine – all selected in Condé Nast Traveler’s 10 best islands in the South Pacific. Sailings depart between October 9, 2014 and February 16, 2015.

• Pacific Princess to Marquesas & Polynesia – Pacific Princess will also feature three departures of a 10-day Marquesas & Polynesia itinerary featuring the remote island of Nuku Hiva – famed as the island where Herman Melville penned his first book, Typee, about life on a Polynesian island. Departures are offered on October 29, November 28 and December 28, 2014.

South America & the Caribbean

• Golden Princess in South America – Two itineraries aboard Golden Princess offer passengers the best of Southern Hemisphere cruising. Sailing between Santiago (Valparaiso) and either Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires, the Cape Horn & Strait of Magellan or Route to Rio itineraries each include the dramatic cruising of the southernmost tip of South America and the Chilean Fjords. Sailings depart between December 20, 2014 and February 28, 2015.

• Golden Princess Andes & South America – At the beginning and end of the season, Golden Princess will also sail between two continents and cross the Equator on two departures of a Andes & South America itinerary between Los Angeles and Santiago, featuring calls in Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica and an optional overland tour to magnificent Machu Picchu. Departures are offered on December 3, 2014 and March 14, 2015.

• Ocean Princess Caribbean Connoisseur – A special 14-day Caribbean Connoisseur voyage aboard Ocean Princess over the holidays adds a new sailing choice from Ft. Lauderdale. A unique opportunity to enjoy small ship-cruising in the Caribbean, this voyage includes calls at small gems such as St. Barts, Martinique and Virgin Gorda. Ocean Princess departs on December 19, 2014.

• Land & Sea Vacations – Land tour options offer the opportunity to explore dramatic UNESCO sites like Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian-Argentine border or mysterious Machu Picchu in the Andes in addition to a South America cruise.

World Cruise

• World Cruise on Pacific Princess – For the first time, Princess’ World Cruise will depart and return from North America. The 111-day voyage aboard Pacific Princess sails roundtrip from Los Angeles, with an option for a 94-day itinerary from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale. Spanning six continents and featuring more than 34 destinations to 25 countries, this unique World Cruise includes four overnight calls in Sydney, Hong Kong, Dubai and Barcelona. Overland excursions and day excursions will be available to see some of the most iconic destinations such as Sydney Harbour, Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, the Taj Mahal and Mexico’s Copper Canyon. Pacific Princess sets sail on January 23, 2015

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	33.00	- 6.57%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	35.71	- 5.55%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	3.89	- 1.52%
Norwegian Cruise Line (Nasdq: NCLH)	31.75	- 0.87%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
Which liner featured a lounge called the "Boat 'n' Bottle Bar"?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question - Here's another Photo Cruise Trivia - This picture was taken in September of 1963. The ship passing behind our ship is pretty easy to recognize, but can you name the ship from which the photo was taken? Look closely, there are clues...

Click Here for a larger version of the picture.

Answer - The France arriving at her New York Pier 88 was taken from an American Export Line ship at Pier 84; it was either the Constitution or Independence (it is the Constitution).
courtesy of John Fostik

Cruise News - May 20, 2013

"It is our view that in the race to build bigger ships, many cruise lines have lost sight of the destinations to which they sail," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. "With our new ocean cruises, we are applying the same principles behind our award-winning river cruises to our itinerary and ship design; privileged-access excursions; and onboard experiences to make destinations the true focus."

Leveraging extensive feedback and input from Viking River Cruises passengers, Viking Ocean Cruises was developed with experienced travelers in mind. Itineraries are curated for maximum time in port, often with late evenings or overnights, so guests can experience local nightlife or evening performances. Ports include both cosmopolitan cities and "collector ports," and appeal to those with an interest in history, art and culture. In addition, all-inclusive pricing provides unparalleled value—with every cruise fare including a veranda stateroom, shore excursions in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Passengers also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; wi-fi; self-service laundry and 24-hour room service—a value of more than $2,400 per couple for an average cruise.

Classified as a "small ship," the new 928-passenger all-veranda Viking Star is engineered at a scale that allows direct access into most ports, so guests have easy and efficient embarkation and debarkation. The ship's understated elegance and modern Scandinavian design is crafted for maximum guest comfort. Highlighted features include:
• All Veranda Staterooms: Guests can choose from five stateroom categories, starting from a 270 sq. ft. veranda stateroom, all with private verandas, king-size beds, large showers, and LCD TVs.
• Explorer Suites: Viking Star's 14 Explorer Suites are two-room suites ranging from 757 to 1,448 sq. ft. and offer sweeping views from wrap-around private verandas as well as the most amenities and privileges of any category onboard.
• Two Pool Choices: In addition to the Main Pool with a retractable dome permitting any-season swimming, Viking Star features one of the only infinity pools at sea, allowing passengers to swim surrounded by their destination in a glass-backed pool cantilevered off the stern.
• The Spa: In keeping with Viking's Nordic heritage, The Spa onboard Viking Star is designed with the holistic wellness philosophy of Scandinavia in mind—from the centuries-old tradition of the sauna to a "snow grotto" where snowflakes gently descend from the ceiling through chilled air.
• Explorers' Lounge and Wintergarden: Spaces designed to facilitate mingling and storytelling, the two-deck Explorers' Lounge at the bow of the ship is the perfect spot for taking in scenery through double-height windows over a glass of aquavit or pint of local craft beer; and the Wintergarden is a serene environment in which to relax and enjoy afternoon tea service complete with a curated tea selection.
• Dining Choices: Viking Star offers multiple restaurant locations and food choices—from The Restaurant and the World Cafe, serving a variety of global cuisines and regional specialties—to intimate dining experiences at The Chef's Table, Italian Grill and The Kitchen Table, all serving meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients. Furthermore, with multiple choices for outdoor seating during meals, Viking Star offers more al fresco dining than any other ship.
• Enriching Entertainment: Connecting passengers to their destinations through authentic experiences is central to Viking Cruises, and Viking Star's onboard venues include a dramatic three-deck atrium where passengers can enjoy musicians playing regional and classical music; the Star Theater, home of enrichment lectures from scholars and experts; an onboard cooking school where guests can learn local specialties; and the Viking Piano Lounge, where guests can relax, mingle, and exchange stories after a day of exploring.
• Sustainable Features: Designed with the environment in mind, Viking Star features energy-efficient hybrid engines, a hydro-dynamically optimized streamlined hull and bow for maximum fuel efficiency, onboard solar panels, and equipment that minimizes exhaust pollution and meets the strictest environmental regulations.

The ship has been designed by experienced nautical architects and engineers, including an interior design team of London-based SMC Design, and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios. The first of two ocean ships on order, Viking Star will be built by Italy's Fincantieri shipyard.

The unprecedented transformation added all of the line's Fun Ship 2.0 dining, bar and entertainment features, along with a host of unique and exciting innovations and an additional 182 staterooms.

Today's voyage from Barcelona represents Carnival Sunshine's first-ever departure from the Spanish port and continues the ship's summer schedule of nine- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages that will run through October.

Here's a look at some of the many innovations added to the 3,006-passenger vessel during its comprehensive makeover:

Delicious Dining Choices
• Ji Ji Asian Kitchen, a stunning new full-service restaurant featuring an extensive menu of delicacies from the Far East, all enjoyed amidst striking Asian-inspired interiors
• Guy's Burger Joint, a free-of-charge poolside venue developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries
• Cucina del Capitano, offering Italian favorites and new Carnival classics served family-style in an engaging atmosphere reminiscent of a cozy Italian home
• BlueIguana Cantina, a complimentary poolside Mexican eatery where guests can enjoy authentic, freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas
• JavaBlue Cafe, offering lattes, cappuccinos and other caffeinated favorites, as well as "spiked" coffees made with liqueurs, and deliciously decadent confections
• Pizzeria del Capitano, an expansion of Cucina del Capitano offering five varieties of hand-tossed artisanal-style pizza, all available free of charge 24 hours a day
• Fahrenheit 555, a classic American steakhouse offering mouth-watering steaks, gourmet appetizers, entrees and desserts, with impeccable service and understated ambiance
• Shake Spot, the ideal "chill" spot where guests can enjoy hand-crafted milkshakes and floats, including "adult versions" of the frozen confections, available with fun toppings

Outdoor Fun and Relaxation
• Carnival's first three-deck-high Serenity adults-only retreat, offering plush chaise lounges and chairs, a whirlpool, a waterfall, a pool, and, of course, magnificent sea views
• SportSquare, an open-air recreation complex that includes a ropes course, mini-golf course, a basketball court, jogging track, ping pong, foosball and pool tables, and more
• WaterWorks, an expansive water park with 40 interactive water features, a gigantic drenching bucket, five different slides including the new racing-themed Speedway Splash, and a 334-foot-long Twister slide, the longest in the "Fun Ship" fleet
• Carnival's Seaside Theatre, a 270-square-foot LED screen displaying nightly movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming

Raising the Bar
• RedFrog Pub, featuring the Caribbean's best rums and beers – including Carnival's own ThirstyFrog Red – enjoyed in a distinct British-West-Indies-meets-Key-West atmosphere
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar, a fun and festive outdoor watering hole offering a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere and tequila-based frozen drinks and beers
• EA SPORTS Bar, where guests can catch live sporting events, check out scores on the real-time 24/7 sports ticker, and play the latest EA SPORTS video games
• Alchemy Bar, a vintage-themed cocktail "pharmacy" with mixologists who "prescribe" concoctions from different elixirs and ingredients
• RedFrog Rum Bar, a poolside adaptation of the RedFrog Pub offering the quintessential Caribbean vacation vibe with refreshing Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers
• The Library Bar, a warm and cozy venue offering self-serve wine dispensers and full bar service for those seeking a more intimate spot for before- or after-dinner drinks
• Havana Bar , which by day serves as a gathering spot for Cuban coffee and snacks, then at night transforms into a Latin-inspired courtyard for classic Cuban cocktails, music and dancing

Captivating Entertainment
• Playlist Productions, which combines captivating live performances of recognizable pop and rock songs and spectacular special effects to create enthralling music revues
• Hasbro, The Game Show , featuring larger-than-life adaptations of the company's iconic and popular games and presented in the totally transformed Liquid Lounge
• The Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez , featuring a line-up of hilarious, laugh-out-loud comedians, part of the line's partnership with the popular comedian, who serves as Carnival's "curator of comedy"

Vacationers in the New York-metropolitan area and around the world can choose among seven- and eight-night Bahamas, eight- to 11-night Eastern Caribbean, and 11- and 12-night Southern Caribbean itinerariesaboard Quantum of the Seas. The groundbreaking new ship will sail roundtrip from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J. to the most popular Caribbean destinations through April 2015, and debut new unprecedented features, such as a skydiving experience; a thrilling adventure that transports guests more than 300 feet in the air on a breathtaking journey; cutting-edge transformative venues including the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever.

“Royal Caribbean is proud to partner with some of the Caribbean’s premier destinations for the inaugural season of Quantum of the Seas,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “The Quantum class of ships will combine a new set of truly exciting and first-at-sea innovations that can only be found on Royal Caribbean, with some of the most incredible destinations in the region. We can’t wait to WOW vacationers with Quantum cruising.”

On the Bahamas cruises, guests call at Port Canaveral, Fla., Nassau and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private tropical island paradise. The Eastern Caribbean cruises will include ports of call among San Juan, Puerto Rico; Samana, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas; St. Kitts; and St. Maarten. Guests on the Southern Caribbean cruises will call at San Juan, St. Maarten, Martinique, Barbados and St. Kitts. On most Caribbean sailings, Quantum of the Seas also will visit Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s very own highly-rated private beach paradise on the north coast of Haiti.

Building on a legacy of more than 40 years of innovation and creative design, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class of ships will take a dramatic leap forward, introducing more game-changing “firsts at sea,” such as RipCord by iFly, the first skydiving experience at sea, which allows everyone from first-time flyers to seasoned skydivers to enjoy the sheer thrill and exhilaration of skydiving in a safe, controlled and simulated environment. North Star, an engineering marvel, will take guests to new heights – literally – with a jewel-shaped, glass capsule, transporting them on a spectacular journey more than 300 feet above the ocean and over the sides of the ship to deliver awe-inspiring 360-degree views.

The new Quantum class also will introduce new cutting-edge, transformative venues, including Two70°, a multi-level great room aptly named for its magnificent 270-degree panoramic sea views through three-deck high, floor-to-ceiling glass walls at the stern of the ship; SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and circus school with trapeze; and Music Hall, a two-story performance hall, inspired by the spirit of rock and roll, and the hottest live music venue on Quantum class.

Quantum class also will offer Royal Caribbean’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever, including the industry’s first interior staterooms with Virtual Balconies, ensuring that every stateroom on Quantum of the Seas will have a view. For multi-generational families, Family-Connected staterooms deliver more flexibility, using three different stateroom categories that connect to form a special layout that provides separate bedrooms and bathrooms for all. Royal Caribbean also will introduce new Studio staterooms – some featuring balconies – for single travelers, three new Junior Suite categories, and larger Loft Suites.

Quantum class will debut in fall 2014 with Quantum of the Seas, followed by her sister-ship Anthem of the Seas in spring 2015. Quantum ships span 16 decks, encompass 167,800 gross registered tons, carry 4,180 guests at double occupancy and feature 2,090 staterooms.

On each cruise, a Location Team from the region either visits the ship or sails on board and shares unique, personal insights with guests through lectures, demonstrations and performances. They provide information about local customs, the way of life, off-the-beaten-path port highlights and secrets that only a local would know.

“Our guests are global explorers, and the On Location program enables us to offer exclusive and intimate cultural experiences that become an indelible part of the overall cruise experience,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest programs for Holland America Line. “With the On Location events on board, our guests will enjoy ports of call with a deeper understanding of local customs and the unique nuances of the area.”

Through the end of the year, the On Location program will roll out across the fleet in destinations around the globe. Each region will feature specialists and experiences that are deeply connected to that part of the world such as stargazing with an astronomer in the South Pacific, learning to tango with a professional in Argentina or playing a didgeridoo in Australia. For example, guests on cruises to Hawaii might learn how to hula, make a fresh flower lei or get a ukulele lesson from a local, while cruisers on voyages to Mexico are entertained with an authentic mariachi band during a Mexican fiesta on deck.

When it comes to getting a taste of local flavor, nothing brings a culture to life more than live entertainment. From fiddlers in the Canadian Maritimes and Balinese dancers in Indonesia to the drums of Polynesia and the gauchos of Argentina, through the On Location initiatives Holland America Line will enhance its program of showcasing the finest entertainment from around the world.

On Location experiences won’t stop with the onboard enrichment and entertainment programs. Guests on each itinerary will be delighted with an array of regionally focused food and drink options before even stepping ashore. Each day Holland America chefs will create local dishes with regionally sourced items. Food lovers can indulge in a bowl of freshly steamed mussels after a cool autumn day in Canada or get adventurous in Scotland and sample haggis. Bars and lounges will feature famous local drinks like a caipirinha in Brazil, limoncello in Italy, ouzo in Greece or sake in Japan.

Holland America Line’s Culinary Arts Center will also come alive like never before as visiting chefs from along the route add local flavor to cooking demonstrations and hands-on classes. Guests can prepare the perfect salmon in Alaska, roll sushi in Asia or enhance dishes with the spices of the Caribbean. Wine lovers can pair food with the ideal bottle as experts from the vineyards in which they are produced host tastings throughout Europe, Australia and Chile.

And guests should not be surprised if they are greeted by shipboard staff with a bonjour, hola, ciao or konnichiwa rather than “hello,” depending on the region where the ship is sailing.

In a related move, Jason Liberty has been named the new CFO, effective immediately, and will continue to report to Rice. Liberty joined Royal Caribbean in 2005 and most recently served as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Finance, overseeing the company's Corporate and Strategic Planning, Treasury, Investor Relations and Internal Audit functions. Before joining Royal Caribbean, Liberty was a senior manager at the accounting firm KPMG.

Additionally, Henry Pujol has been named Senior Vice President and Controller, and in his new role will report to Liberty. Pujol joined Royal Caribbean in 2004 as Assistant Controller and was promoted to Vice President, Corporate Controller in 2008. Before joining Royal Caribbean, Pujol was a senior manager in the audit practice of KPMG.

"Over the past 24 years, I've had the very good fortune to work for an outstanding company in a truly exciting industry," said Rice. "I am proud to have played a part in its success, and I feel comfortable that I will be leaving the company in excellent shape."

"Brian has been a key figure in the development of Royal Caribbean, and an important leader who has made significant contributions to the entire cruise industry," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Fain lauded Rice's role in the creation of the Revenue Management discipline, which is now a standard industry practice. "Brian's foresight and financial discipline helped us all become better sellers," said Fain. "At the same time, his focus and determination have ensured we continually improve our financial management and credit strength."

Fain added that Rice developed a strong talent base at Royal Caribbean, and would use the next year to help the company transition successfully to its next generation of financial leadership. "Brian is a strong leader and a good teacher, and he will continue to develop his team through the next year," Fain said.

"I look forward to working with Jason and Henry as they continue their professional growth and development," said Rice. "Jason is clearly ready to step into the role of Chief Financial Officer, while Henry continues to demonstrate his breadth and capability in his new responsibilities."

Current cruise ticket pricing for the company has driven higher booking volumes however, at the same time, it has led to lower than anticipated net revenue yields which has resulted in reduced earnings guidance.

The company now expects full year 2013 net revenue yields to be down 2 to 3 percent compared to the previous flat yield guidance for the year. In addition, voyage cancellations beyond those incorporated in the company's previous earnings guidance, as well as increased selling and administrative costs, are expected to reduce earnings by approximately $0.10 per share.

Based on the above factors, as well as current fuel prices of $674 per metric ton and currency exchange rates of $1.30 to the Euro and $1.53 to the pound, the company now expects full year 2013 EPS to be in the range of $1.45 to $1.65 compared to its previous earnings guidance range of $1.80 to $2.10. The company continues to expect second quarter 2013 EPS to be in the range of $0.04 to $0.08 per share despite slightly lower yield expectations.

The company will announce second quarter results and more details of its 2013 full year guidance (updated for current spot prices for fuel and exchange rates) during its regularly scheduled earnings conference call to be held in late June 2013.

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	35.32	+ 1.52%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	37.81	+ 1.04%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	3.95/FONT>	+ 0.51%
Norwegian Cruise Line (Nasdq: NCLH)	32.03	+ 5.15%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
Here's another Photo Cruise Trivia - This picture was taken in September of 1963. The ship passing behind our ship is pretty easy to recognize, but can you name the ship from which the photo was taken? Look closely, there are clues...

Click Here for a larger version of the picture.

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question - Today's P&O fleet includes a ship named Oriana, but she is not the first ship to have that name. The previous Oriana was was built in 1960 for P&O-Orient Lines. Whatever became of that ship?

Answer - Originally built for Orient Steam Navigation Co. and sailed for P&O until 1986 when she was sold and moved to Osaka as a floating hotel which was not successful and she then was sold to Chinese interests and moved to Shanghai again as a floating hotel in 2002. Moved again to Galian in 2004 and was severely damaged in a storm and sold to ship breakers in 2005.
courtesy of Florida Rich

Cruise News - May 13, 2013

This next-generation ship will offer a stylish and innovative new design, with an unprecedented number of passenger facilities together with many iconic signatures of the P&O Cruises brand. She will offer the "best of the best", combining favorite classic features of ships such as Oriana and Aurora, the wide choice and variety of Ventura and Azura and a host of new concepts which will include some yet-to-be-announced "sophisticated wows". In delivering the ultimate P&O Cruises experience, the ship will be designed to attract many thousands of newcomers and will equally resonate with existing passengers by delivering the sense of P&O-ness for which the brand is held in such high regard. At the same time, the ship will be designed to deliver much greater levels of operational and environmental efficiency.

The keel laying will involve the placement in the dry dock of the first section of the ship's hull. This section is made up of 6 pre-manufactured blocks, weighs 408 tons and is fitted with 214 tons of pipes, cables, insulation and other equipment.

The ceremony follows an intensive period of design and development. 74 sections will be used in the construction of the ship.

In a speech, Carnival UK CEO David Dingle said: "Each of our new ships has been exclusively designed for the British market. We have ensured that each anticipates the subtly changing trends in what British passengers expect from their cruise holiday - and is equipped to meet those expectations for many years to come. Our success in adapting to the market's changing needs is why our ships continue to fill and why the whole cruise sector ultimately continues to buck any downward trend. We cannot wait to see this ship finished and underway."

Fincantieri Shipyard Director Carlo De Marco said: "We are proud to be on the world stage together with P&O Cruises in this endeavour, which will undoubtedly be a marvellous opportunity not only for Monfalcone shipyard but for Fincantieri as a whole. Indeed, this is another occasion to further strengthen our relationship with this well-established ship owner. It will be an honour and a pleasure, to celebrate in 2015 the delivery of this ship and together the tenth anniversary of the collaboration between P&O Cruises and Fincantieri, started in 2005 with Arcadia."

P&O Cruises Managing Director, Carol Marlow, will give the order to lay the keel with the words: "Diamo il via alla posa del primo blocco della più grande nave, la migliore, mai costruita per il mercato Britannico!" [Please lay the keel of the biggest and best ship ever built for the British market!]

"We are thrilled to welcome Star Pride to our fleet in Spring 2014, enabling Windstar to cruise a global set of itineraries to new destinations including our new Black Sea Tapestry voyage," said Hans Birkholz, Windstar Cruises' chief executive officer. "With a maximum of 212 guests on board, Star Pride delivers our promise of the private yacht experience in a casually elegant setting, all while exploring some of the world's most legendary destinations and hidden harbors."

The four exclusive Star Pride 2014 European voyages include: Black Sea Tapestry - For the first time, Windstar offers the enigmatic, once hidden, wonders of Europe's Black Sea in signature Windstar yachting style. This seven-day, roundtrip voyage from Istanbul, Turkey departs June 13, 20; and September 8, 2014, and visits five new ports including Yalta, Sevastopol, and Odessa, Ukraine; Constanta (Bucharest), Romania; and Nessebar, Bulgaria. Highlights include: Istanbul's elegant Blue Mosque; Swallow's Nest Castle in Yalta; the intriguing Potemkin Steps in Odessa; Sevastopol's beautiful beaches; and medieval Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its impressive collection of historic churches.

Pride of the Aegean - Explore the breadth of the Aegean Sea, from the southernmost azure tip of Crete to the soaring spires of Istanbul, in one comprehensive nine-day sailing departing from Athens, Greece or Istanbul, Turkey on June 4, and 27; August 30; September 15 and 24; and October 3, 12, and 21, 2014. Star Pride visits Monemvasia, Chania, Santorini, and Rhodes, Greece; and Bodrum, Kusadasi, and Cesme, Turkey. Highlights include: Chania's beautiful Venetian mansions and churches; the whitewashed buildings and blue domes of Santorini; the ancient Acropolis of Lindos in Rhodes; Cesme's 14th century Genoese castle, as well as the marble, myths, and magic of Athens and Istanbul's world-famous Grand Bazaar.

Riviera Enchantment - Discover the glamour, the enchantment, the excitement, and the exquisite elan of the world's most famous yachting playgrounds on this seven-day voyage roundtrip from Rome, Italy departing May 21; and August 6, 2014. Rome sets the stage for this exciting cruise which visits some of the world's most glamorous ports along the French Riviera including Cannes, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Portoferraio, Portofino, and Portovenere, Italy. For an added thrill, guests sailing on the May 21 departure can add Windstar's Grand Prix Cruise Package and experience the perfect combination of luxury cruising and Formula One racing.

Venetian Passageways - Uncover the wonders of Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, as Windstar overnights in this magical city on this nine-day voyage along the ancient trade routes through the narrow Corinth Canal, to the ancient oracle of Delphi, and into the majestic fjords of Montenegro. Star Pride departs July 6; and August 21, 2014 from Athens, Greece or Venice, Italy visiting Hydra, Corinth Canal, Delphi/Itea, and Zakynthos, Greece; Butrint, Albania; Kotor, Montenegro; and Dubrovnik and Hvar, Croatia.

Also new for 2014, is Windstar's Sicilian Splendors voyage - Sail around the Isle of Sicily and discover wonders from the ruins of Pompeii and Capri's Blue Grotto to Baroque marvels and the breathtaking beauty of the Amalfi Coast with this 10-day sailing roundtrip from Rome, Italy departing May 11, 2014. This new 2014 voyage visits five new ports including Catania, Porto Empedocle, and Trapani, Italy; and Valletta and Gozo, Malta; as well as Lipari (Sicily), Sorrento, and Capri, Italy, and also spends one romantic night at sea. Highlights include: the ancient city of Syracuse in Catania; historic tapestries and armor in Valletta's Palazzo Parisio; and some of the world's best-preserved Greek ruins at the Valley of the Temples in Porto Empedocle.

In addition, Star Pride will offer many Windstar favorites including:

• Classic Italy & Dalmatian Coast: Discover the magic of Venice, the grandeur of Rome and the captivating island of Capri before cruising the privileged waters of the Ionian Sea with visits to the breathtaking fjords of Montenegro and the sundrenched shores of Croatia on this eight-day cruise departing from Rome or Venice on July 15 and August 13, 2014.

• Glitter & Glam of the Rivieras: From the sparkling cities of Marseille and Portofino to the chic style of Monaco and Cannes, Star Pride explores the legendary ports of the world's most privileged yachts on this seven-day voyage departing from Rome or Barcelona on July 23 and 30, 2014.

• Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast: This seven-day cruise departing May 28, 2014, explores the idyllic islands, charming cobbled villages, spectacular scenery, and intriguing history of the heart of the Mediterranean. Star Pride, with a guest capacity of 212 in 106 suites, will undergo several upgrades and changes in styling and decor to align with Windstar's brand. Star Pride will showcase many signature Windstar experiences, including the line's famous Sail Away party, Yacht Deck Barbecue gala and Open Bridge policy.

Following the dry dock, Carnival Triumph is slated to re-enter regular service from Galveston, Texas, June 13, 2013.

“With the ship temporarily out of service for repairs, we decided to take the opportunity to add a host of new dining and bar venues that are part of our tremendously popular fleetwide Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement program,” said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Fun Ship 2.0 is a $500 million product-enhancement initiative being gradually rolled out across the Carnival fleet.

New features being added to Carnival Triumph during its dry dock include:

• Guy’s Burger Joint, a complimentary poolside venue serving fresh-made burgers and hand-cut fries created by Food Network personality and chef Guy Fieri.

• BlueIguana Cantina, a free-of-charge Mexican cantina with custom-made tacos and burritos that can be personalized by diners at an extensive salsa and toppings bar.

• Alchemy Bar, a cocktail “pharmacy” where highly trained mixologists create custom cocktails using interesting flavors and ingredients.

• EA SPORTS Bar, an interactive sports-themed lounge where patrons can view live action, play popular EA SPORTS video games and keep up with the latest scores.

• RedFrog Rum Bar, a poolside Caribbean-themed watering hole offering a variety of the region’s top rums and beers in a laid-back island-infused atmosphere.

• BlueIguana Tequila Bar, a lively and engaging poolside bar serving frozen cocktails and Mexican beers in a fun and festive environment.

In addition to installation of the Fun Ship 2.0 features and other repairs, as part of a $300 million fleetwide program announced in April, Carnival Triumph is being outfitted with new systems to improve operating reliability to further prevent a potential loss of primary power, an upgrade in fire detection and suppression systems, and, in the rare event of a loss of main power, additional emergency backup power to provide core hotel services to ensure guest comfort.

When Carnival Triumph resumes year-round service from Galveston June 13, the ship will sail four-day cruises to Cozumel, Mexico, and five-day cruises to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico

Doubling her dining options, Brilliance of the Seas now offers guests a wide variety of culinary experiences from family-style festivity at the Italian trattoria, Giovanni’s Table, to the intimate and exclusive multi-course Chef’s Table. Guests can expand their palettes at a multitude of other dining venues including Royal Caribbean’s signature Izumi Asian Cuisine, Park Café and Rita’s Cantina.

In addition, the five-story Centrum – which is the focal point of the ship – has been transformed into a spectacular new space featuring the Centrum experience, which includes the addition of the 60’s-inspired R Bar as well as a multitude of entertainment experiences including enriching daytime activities, dazzling nighttime entertainment and a new high-flying entertainment experience where aerialists glide through the vertical space of the atrium.

The ship also features a new location for the Concierge Club for suite guests, a Diamond Club for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program members, a new English pub and the popular Royal Babies and Tots Nursery giving parents more opportunities to enjoy the ship’s amenities with peace of mind that their babies are being tended to by qualified care givers. Guests also will find that staying connected at sea will be easier with Wi-Fi access throughout the ship and enjoy a host of technology enhancements that include flat-panel televisions in all staterooms, an outdoor LED movie screen on the pool deck, as well as an interactive digital way-finding system. Old favorites such as the self-leveling pool tables, the adults-only Solarium and the Vitality Spa and Fitness Center can still be found onboard and are sure to delight guests of all ages.

Beginning today, Brilliance of the Seas’ Northern Europe season includes eight sailings that offer the best of the North and Baltic seas, calling at Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; Talinn, Estonia; Gothenburg, Sweden; and offering an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia. An 11-night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland itinerary, sailing July 27, will call at Bergen and Geiranger, Norway; Lerwick/Shetland, Scotland; Klaksvik, Faroe Islands; with an overnight in Reykjavik, Iceland. Brilliance of the Seas departs for Boston, Mass. on August 31 on a 15-night itinerary, calling at Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), France; Portland, Dorset, UK; Cork (Cobh) and Dublin, Ireland; Klaksvik; with an overnight at Reykjavik

Land+Sea Journeys offer the benefit of combining the "must-see" of Denali National Park with the "seldom seen" wonders of the Yukon, including one- or two-night stays in the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush Country. Holland America Line will employ a refreshed approach to add to guests' leisure time so they can further engage in their own personal discoveries and experience more highlights en route.

Perhaps the most significant program enhancement for 2014 is a convenient one-hour flight that brings Fairbanks, Alaska, and Dawson City, Yukon closer together — replacing up to two days of motorcoach travel and a hotel overnight. Other notable elements include a new McKinley Explorer dome rail schedule between Anchorage and Denali that departs later in the morning northbound to Denali and arrives before dinnertime nearly three hours earlier heading southbound to Anchorage.

Between Denali and Fairbanks, luxury motorcoaches will provide swifter service that maximizes the guest experience in both destinations. At Westmark Fairbanks, Anchorage and Skagway, Holland America Line has begun substantial renovations that will include extensive room updates, soft goods, hotel decor and some expansion in the Skagway property.

"The name Land+Sea Journeys clearly communicates what these tours are all about, which is combining a premium Holland America Line Alaska cruise with an equally exceptional overland adventure," said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line's executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest programs. "Land+Sea Journeys feature what we do best in Alaska and the Yukon and guests get the most in-depth experiences and maximum time in beautiful and unique destinations."

In 2014, the Land+Sea Journeys run May through September and are simplified with just 12 options ranging in total length from 10 to 20 days in two distinct series: Yukon+Denali Land+Sea Journeys and Denali Land+Sea Journeys. All Land+Sea Journeys combine a three- to seven-night Holland America Line cruise with an overland adventure that includes a one-, two- or three-night stay at Denali National Park as a centerpiece of the Alaska experience.

Each Land+Sea Journey goes off the beaten path and showcases places such as Dawson City in the heart of gold rush country, charming Seward, the five-star Alyeska Resort, pristine Kluane and Tombstone Parks, colorful Skagway and the historic narrow-gauge White Pass and Yukon Route railroad.

The five Land+Sea Journeys in the Yukon+Denali series range in length from 10 to 20 days and travel roundtrip Vancouver, British Columbia, or between Vancouver and Anchorage, Alaska. During these journeys, guests will enjoy scenic cruising throughout the Inside Passage and/or Glacier Bay before calling at Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines or Skagway. In addition to Denali National Park, the overland portion includes Whitehorse, Fairbanks and Dawson.

The seven Denali series journeys range in length from 11 to 14 days and travel between Vancouver and Fairbanks or Anchorage. Included is Glacier Bay scenic cruising where guests can explore the ice-studded fjords of this national treasure for a full eight hours as a U.S. Park Service ranger narrates. Ports of call on the cruise portion include Haines or Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.

In total, 11 ships will sail on 355 departures of 46 itineraries to more than 70 destinations. In the Caribbean, passengers can choose idyllic vacations from three to 20 days, with roundtrips from Ft. Lauderdale and Houston. West Coast cruises sail from Los Angeles, San Francisco and now Vancouver to Hawaii, Mexico, the South Pacific, and along the California coast. For the first time Royal Princess will take passengers to Canada & New England, becoming the line’s largest ship sailing on these fall foliage cruises, joining Ruby Princess, also new to cruising the Eastern Seaboard. And Princess will continue to lead the way in Panama Canal cruising aboard favorite ships Coral Princess and Island Princess.

“Whether travelers have just three days or are ready for a 28-day adventure, they can enjoy the Princess cruise experience from a variety of close-to-home departure ports,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “These North America cruises offer great opportunities to enjoy our newest ships along with some amazing destinations.”

Princess Cruises’ 2014-15 Americas program includes:

Caribbean – Five ships will be sailing the balmy waters of the Caribbean including, for the first time, the new Regal Princess offering the line’s popular seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises. Sister ship Royal Princess will sail on 10-day Caribbean itineraries for the first time, on both Eastern Caribbean Voyager and Southern Caribbean Medley routes, which can be combined for a 20-day sojourn among the islands. In addition, Ruby Princess will offer a season of seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean departures that can be combined into a 14-day vacation. Emerald Princess will sail on seven-day Western Caribbean voyages from Houston. Those looking for a shorter vacation option can choose from four- and five-day getaway voyages on Caribbean Princess to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. In total, passengers can choose from 204 departures on 16 itineraries to 24 tropical destinations.

West Coast Sailings – Four ships will take passengers along the West Coast and to destinations such as Hawaii and Mexico from three homeports – Los Angeles, San Francisco and now Vancouver. Grand Princess will debut two new roundtrip Vancouver itineraries offered both in the fall and spring, sailing to either the tropical paradise of the Hawaiian Islands, or along the California Coast – including an overnight stay in San Francisco. For the remainder of the season, Grand Princess will be based in Los Angeles sailing on 15-day Hawaii cruises. Crown Princess, Princess’ newest and most innovative ship on the West Coast, will also sail from Los Angeles for a season of voyages along the California coast, to Mexico, and on Princess’ popular 28-day Hawaii, Tahiti & Samoa adventure. In addition, the ship will offer a series of three- and four-day Getaway sailings. Golden Princess will also offer the shorter Getaway sailings from Los Angeles during the fall. Star Princess will be based in San Francisco, sailing to Hawaii, Mexico and the California coast. In total, Princess will offer a total of 104 cruise options from West Coast ports.

Canada & New England – Royal Princess becomes Princess’ largest ship ever to sail Canada & New England when it offers these cruises for the first time in fall 2014. With four departures from New York in September and October, the ship will take passengers on a seven-day itinerary to the New England ports of Boston, Bar Harbor and Newport and the Atlantic Canadian ports of Halifax and Saint John. For more time enjoying the fall foliage, Ruby Princess also sails for the first time to Canada & New England on the line’s popular 10-day Classic Canada & England itinerary featuring an overnight in spectacular Quebec City, and a new port of Gaspé, Quebec – an off-the-beaten path destination featuring a charming seaside village known for the picturesque Percé Rock. The ship will also offer a 12-day Colonial America & Canada itinerary between Quebec and Ft. Lauderdale. Passengers can choose to enhance their cruise vacation with cruisetour options featuring Colonial America sites or fascinating Canadian cities like Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa.

Panama Canal – Coral Princess and Island Princess will once again lead the way in Panama Canal cruising with full seasons sailing through this wonder of engineering. Passengers can choose either a 11-day roundtrip itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale or a longer journey between Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles or Vancouver for the full-transit Panama Canal experience. Between them the two ships will feature 36 departures, to 21 destinations in the Caribbean, Central America and along the Pacific Coast.

"Norwegian has truly raised the bar when it comes to entertainment at sea and that is why it was extremely important to me that Norwegian Getaway feature high caliber entertainment that will continue to exceed our guest's expectations," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "With LEGALLY BLONDE performing in the Getaway Theater, along with BURN THE FLOOR, world-class comedy by THE LEVITY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, magic in the previously announced ILLUSIONARIUM, THE GRAMMY EXPERIENCE, and all of the other entertainment offerings, we continue our commitment on Norwegian Getaway to offer guests the best entertainment experience possible."

Headlining the 787-seat Getaway Theater is the seven-time Tony Award nominated Broadway musical, LEGALLY BLONDE. Liverpool Confidential has called the show, "Kind-hearted, comical and camp, Legally Blonde ? The Musical is right up there with Mamma Mia! and Hairspray."

LEGALLY BLONDE tells the story of Elle Woods who, after being dumped by her boyfriend, follows him to Harvard Law School to win him back. With the help of some new-found friends, she learns that it's so much better to be smart.

The show opened on Broadway at the Palace Theater on April 29, 2007 and closed in 2008 after playing 595 performances. The show was also one of London's most popular West End shows, where it played at the Savoy Theatre and won three Laurence Olivier Awards, including one for "Best New Musical."

In addition to being a bona fide Broadway hit musical, LEGALLY BLONDE is a global success and is currently touring in Australia.

Offering shows in both the Getaway Theater and more intimate performances, dance sensation BURN THE FLOOR will dazzle guests with their re-invented ballroom dancing. Beginning with, and maintaining all the wonderful traditions and the social history of the Ballroom dance art form, BURN THE FLOOR is a groundbreaking show, serving as a melting pot of styles, energy and excitement for today's generation of dancers. It is Ballroom "supercharged."

During the course of the show, the dancers perform all the Ballroom and Latin styles, including The Waltz, Cha Cha, Samba, Salsa, Rumba, Foxtrot, Quickstep,Mambo, Tango, Swing, Jive, Lindy Hop, Viennese Waltz, and Paso Doble. The music is eclectic, from Swing and Waltz classics to J-Lo and Credence Clearwater. Two vocalists perform in many languages during the show, including English, Spanish and Portuguese.

The show premiered in London in 1999 and toured the US for the first time in 2000, including performances at Radio City Music Hall. After touring around the world, in a variety of countries, including Japan, Singapore and Australia, BURN THE FLOOR premiered on Broadway in 2009. Originally intended to be a limited run, the show opened to rave reviews in New York and extended its original run into January 2010, performing 193 shows. Already staged in more than 300 cities globally, BURN THE FLOOR is currently in the midst of its World Tour of the Broadway Production with dates in Holland, Australia, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan, and will return to the US later this year before joining Norwegian Getaway in 2014.

Norwegian Getaway will feature multiple, specially-designed entertainment venues throughout the ship so that guests can choose from a wide variety of entertainment each evening of their cruise with choices to appeal to a broad audience.

Headliners Comedy Club on Norwegian Getaway will feature top-tier comedians presented through the line's new partnership with Levity Entertainment Group, the world's largest producer of live comedy. Levity employs over 300 artists nationwide each week, creating special events, original tours, and television specials with some of the biggest names in comedy, including Daniel Tosh, Amy Shumer, B ill Cosby, Gabriel Iglesias and Jeff Dunham, who is currently the most successful touring comedian worldwide. Levity packages and produces best-in-class talent for all live experiences, including premium comedy clubs, international comedy festivals, corporate events and large-scale arena and stadium shows. Levity will bring a new level of comedy entertainment on board Norwegian Getaway, offering 12 shows per week.

The world's greatest rock n' roll dueling piano show, Howl at the Moon, which received rave reviews on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Breakaway, will also be featured in Headliners on board Norwegian Getaway. This total entertainment experience features talented piano players who not only entertain the guests; they make the guests part of the show. The fun is centered around two baby grand pianos and a full out rock show with Howl's entertainers playing the best music from 70's rock to hip-hop for four hours per show. Howl at the Moon, with multiple locations across the United States, encourages people to channel their inner rock star, so guests should get ready to clap, sing, dance and howl.

Currently being built at Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Getaway will be 146,600 gross tons and offer a wide range of accommodations. The ship represents an opportunity for the Norwegian guest to "get away" from the routine of work, school, and daily stress, and find a true respite at sea that reflects the energy and culture that Miami is known for worldwide.

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	34.79	- 0.74%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	37.42	+ 0.89%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	3.93/FONT>	+ 4.24%
Norwegian Cruise Line (Nasdq: NCLH)	30.46	- 4.27%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
Today's P&O fleet includes a ship named Oriana, but she is not the first ship to have that name. The previous Oriana was was built in 1960 for P&O-Orient Lines. Whatever became of that ship?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question - We all know that Titanic's sister ship Olympic was broken up in 1937. What is amazing is that part of Olympic survived and still sails the seas today. What part of Olympic survived and where is it today?

Answer - Parts of the RMS Olympic are on display in the Southampton Maritime Museum, the Titanic Museum (Branson, MO) and in the White Swan Hotel in the UK. The wood panels however grace the walls of the Olympic Restaurant on Celebrity's Millennium cruise ship.
courtesy of Florida Rich

Cruise News - May 6, 2013

The cruise liner then initiated rescue of the sailboat's crew, two males ages 29 and 61. The men were taken aboard Nieuw Amsterdam following a security check and provided food and accommodations. They will disembark in the next port of call at the Azores.

"It is a time-honored law of the sea that any ship in the vicinity should render assistance to a vessel in distress that has issued a call for help," said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line's executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest programs. "While the incident diverted the ship from its course, we were happy to be able to safely rescue the two men and are incredibly proud of the crew of Nieuw Amsterdam for their efforts."

When it received the call, Nieuw Amsterdam was approximately 600 miles east of Bermuda on its trans-Atlantic crossing to Europe, and sailing yacht Embla was approximately 35 nautical miles south-southwest of the cruise ship, according to the Coast Guard. Nieuw Amsterdam is expected to arrive at Horta, Azores, Wednesday, May 8, on schedule.

"Maryland welcomes the new and improved Grandeur of the Seas to our state," said Governor O'Malley. "Royal Caribbean's decision to place this beautiful ship here is another strong vote of confidence in the Port of Baltimore, the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland as one of the top cruise markets in the nation, providing approximately $90 million in economic activity and generating about 200 direct jobs in Maryland."

Grandeur of the Seas is fresh from a $48 million bow-to-stern revitalization, which incorporated six new specialty dining options, technological upgrades and new entertainment features, as well as a refresh of all furniture, carpet, upholstery and staterooms. Families with toddlers can take advantage of the newly installed Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, which caters to the cruise line's youngest guests, ages six months to 36 months. Guests can also enjoy a 220-square foot poolside movie screen and take in a new high-flying experience whereby aerialists glide through the ship's six-story atrium.

"Royal Caribbean International thanks Governor Martin O'Malley and the Maryland Port Administration for their ongoing support of the cruise vacation industry in the great state of Maryland," said Adam Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "Maryland's rich history and diverse cultural attractions make it an unmatched destination to pair with a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation. We are delighted to mark the beginning of Grandeur of the Seas' year-round service from Baltimore on 'Royal Caribbean Cruise Day' in Maryland."

Throughout the year, vacationers can choose among a variety of itineraries to Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Eastern and Western Caribbean. In the summer, the itineraries alternate between seven-night Bermuda sailings, featuring a two-night call at Kings Wharf, and seven-night sailings to the Bahamas, calling at Port Canaveral, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island paradise in the Bahamas. In the fall, Grandeur of the Seas will alternate between six-night Bermuda and eight-night Canada and New England sailings. The winter season will consist of rotating 10-night sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, as well as eight-night sailings to the Bahamas.

The Port of Baltimore's cruise facility, with its unique location immediately off Interstate 95 and close to Interstate 70, has become a convenient drive-to cruise port for many residents throughout the mid-Atlantic and into the Midwest. Last year, more than 240,800 travelers sailed on 100 cruises from the Port of Baltimore. Baltimore has 96 scheduled cruises for 2013.

On January 24, 2013, Norwegian Cruise Line closed on its successful IPO at a price of $19.00 per share. In addition, on February 6, 2013, the Company issued $300 million of 5.00% senior unsecured notes. The aggregate net proceeds of the IPO and the Notes Offering were used to prepay certain credit facilities, prepay amounts due pursuant to the Norwegian Sky Purchase Agreement, redeem the full amount of the outstanding $450 million 11.75% senior secured notes due 2016, redeem a portion of the outstanding $350 million 9.5% senior unsecured notes due 2018 and for general corporate purposes.

First Quarter 2013 Results

"We are excited to announce another quarter of strong results, especially in light of this being our first quarter as a publicly traded company," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's President and CEO. "These strong results bring us to nineteen consecutive quarters of year over year Adjusted EBITDA growth."

For the first quarter of 2013, Norwegian Cruise Line reported Adjusted Net Income of $12.9 million and Adjusted EPS of $0.06, which exclude $110.4 million in expenses related to debt prepayments funded by the aggregate net proceeds from the IPO and the Notes Offering as well as non-cash compensation and other expenses related to Norwegian Cruise Line's IPO. On a GAAP basis, net loss and diluted EPS were $(96.4) million and $(0.49), respectively.

An increase in Net Yield, partially offset by lower Capacity Days primarily due to the planned Dry-dock of Pride of America, resulted in a 1.3% improvement in Net Revenue for the quarter to $390.7 million. Net Yield increased 3.3%, on both an as reported and Constant Currency basis, on stronger overall pricing and increased onboard spend, particularly in the bar and shore excursion areas.

Adjusted Net Cruise Cost ex Fuel decreased 1.5%, on both an as reported and Constant Currency basis, mainly due to the timing of certain expenses. The first quarter included a portion of the Pride of America Dry-dock which extended into the second quarter. Incremental Dry-docks in subsequent quarters include Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Sky. Fuel price in the quarter increased 12.5% to $673 per metric ton from $598 in 2012.

Interest expense, net for the period was $127.7 million and included $90.5 million in charges related to the prepayment of certain credit facilities and the redemption of certain of Norwegian Cruise Line's senior notes in connection with proceeds from both the Company's IPO and Notes Offering.

"Our initiatives for driving demand, pricing discipline and continuous improvement resulted in strong earnings and record guest satisfaction scores," said Sheehan. "These efforts contributed to our successful initial public offering and notes offering which further optimized our capital structure, strengthened our balance sheet and positioned Norwegian for future growth."

2013 Guidance and Sensitivities

In addition to the results for the first quarter 2013, Norwegian Cruise Line also issued the following guidance, which reflects its expectations for 2013 along with accompanying sensitivities.

As of April 30, 2013, Norwegian Cruise Line said that it had hedged approximately 91%, 58% and 26% of its 2013, 2014 and 2015 projected metric tons of fuel purchases, respectively.

Future capital commitments consist of contracted commitments, including ship construction contracts and future expected capital expenditures for business enhancements. As of March 31, 2013, anticipated capital expenditures for business enhancements were $57.2 million for the remainder of 2013, and $77 million for each of the years 2014 and 2015. As of March 31, 2013, anticipated capital expenditures for ship construction were $681.1 million for the remainder of 2013, $755.6 million for 2014 and $788.5 million for 2015, of which export credit financing is in place of $572.8 million for 2013, $657.1 million for 2014 and $621.1 million for 2015, based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of March 31, 2013.

Newbuild and Other Highlights

On April 25, 2013, Norwegian Cruise Line took delivery of the newest ship in its fleet, the 4,000 passenger Norwegian Breakaway. After inaugural events in Europe and a transatlantic crossing, Norwegian Breakaway arrives for the first time in her homeport of New York City on May 7. Said Sheehan about the Company's newest vessel, "Norwegian Breakaway is bringing the best of New York City to sea, offering an extensive choice of dining venues, an unparalleled list of entertainment including three Broadway shows and public areas 678 Ocean Place and the Waterfront, which jointly form a dynamic complex that enhances guests' connection with the ocean."

Norwegian Breakaway's sister ship, Norwegian Getaway, continues construction for an on-time delivery in January 2014 and will also feature a three-story sports complex, Aqua Park, Nickelodeon entertainment and a trio of seafood dining options from celebrity chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian. In addition, Norwegian Getaway will feature The Illusionarium, an immersive experience featuring magic by renowned illusionists. Norwegian Cruise Line announced a partnership with The Recording Academy®, creators of The GRAMMY Awards®, which will bring the Academy's first GRAMMY Experience at sea on Norwegian Getaway. The venue, unique to Norwegian Getaway, will feature memorabilia from the GRAMMY Museum® while hosting performances that will include past GRAMMY winners and nominees, among others.

Successful concepts from Azura, such as The Glasshouse, The Retreat, menus designed by Michelin -star chef Atul Kochhar in speciality restaurant East and single cabins have all been introduced on board Ventura as part of P&O Cruises ongoing refit programme.

Highlights include:

The Glasshouse
• The Glasshouse has been introduced, to replace Las Ramblas bar and restaurant on Deck 7
• Installation of enomatic wine system allows passengers to buy premium wines by the glass selected by TV wine expert Olly Smith
• Conversion to The Glasshouse menu with a selection of small and large plates available for lunch and dinner (additional charge). Small plates include:chorizo, pork belly and butter bean cassoulet and larger plates include a selection of steak, burger and fish dishes with triple cooked chips as well as vegetarian options including woodland mushroom and spring onion risotto with melting camembert

East
• East now features a new menu designed by Michelin-star celebrity chef Atul Kochhar
• Atul has devised a unique Thai/Indonesian menu, which also includes influences from Malaysian and Vietnamese cuisine. Sample dishes include:
-24 Hour Slow Cooked Lamb Rendang - Indonesian style curry with coconut milk, shallots, garlic and ginger
-Spiced Sea Bream – wrapped in banana leaf and griddled with shallots and green chillies

Atul Kochhar said: “Exploring flavours from across the Far East, including Indonesia and Thailand, this new and exciting menu showcases modern Asian cuisine. Incorporating mystical spices with subtle ingredients this menu is inspired by my travels throughout Asia and my love of spice.”

Single cabins
• 18 new single cabins added: 12 outside and six inside
• Located in the same area as Azura, adjacent to the Exchange Bar on Deck 6, a central location The Retreat
• Installation of The Retreat into the forward area on Deck 16
• The Retreat is a sumptuous open-air spa terrace with sun loungers, a separate pool and stunning sea views, exclusively for adults
• Passengers can buy a full day pass to The Retreat for a small cover charge

Other changes
• The atrium features a new dance floor which will host dance lessons day and night with a live band in the evening
• Ventura is now fully wi-fi enabled
• The cyberstudy has been converted into the ship’s new library (with some fixed PCs)
• A new perfumery has replaced the old library
• A new enomatic wine system has been introduced in Waterside, the ship’s buffet restaurant. This self-service system allows passengers to buy premium wines by the glass, similar to The Glasshouse, by purchasing a wine card on board

P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow said: “This is the latest of several refits to our fleet. Oriana and Oceana have already had multi-million pound investments and Arcadia will be at the end of the year. We are delighted with the changes on Ventura. All of the enhancements have been made following feedback from both existing passengers and potential cruisers. Research showed that speciality restaurants were very important as well as a variety of dining with premium grills, classic fine dining, Asian and Indian menus being the most popular.

“As a result we have added these innovations onto Ventura. We have a new Asian Fusion menu in East, designed by Atul Kochhar and we added The Glasshouse grill and wine bar, both of which have proved so popular on Azura. “Following the success of the single cabins on Azura and Oriana, we also now have 18 new single cabins on Ventura. This offers an attractive and cost effective option to solo travellers.

“The Retreat has also been a huge hit with passengers on Azura and so we now have the same concept on Ventura. The Retreat offers a private area, exclusively for adults and is the perfect place to relax, unwind and be pampered.

“All in all, these changes are very well suited to passengers seeking a relaxed and contemporary cruising experience – perfect for families, friends and couples alike. We are very excited to have these latest innovations in time for Ventura’s new fly-cruise programme to the Mediterranean next summer. Our passengers can enjoy some of Europe’s most iconic destinations in greater style and even more comfort on our new-look Ventura.”

Tihany will join Storbraaten, who successfully worked with Holland America Line on ms Eurodam and ms Nieuw Amsterdam, in designing the ship's public rooms. The new ship will feature exciting new public areas and dining venues, as well as a stunning onboard ambiance created in partnership with these two leading firms. Several new concepts are under development that have never been seen before on a Holland America Line ship, and as they evolve more details will be revealed.

"We are fortunate to bring together such distinguished professionals for our next-generation ship," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "The ambience of a ship is an essential part of the cruise experience and we are confident that Adam, Bjorn and their teams of experienced designers and architects will strike the right balance between contemporary and traditional that is the hallmark of the interiors of Holland America Line ships."

About Tihany Design

Adam D. Tihany is regarded as one of the world's pre-eminent hospitality designers. After attending the Politecnico di Milano School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tihany apprenticed at design firms in Italy. In 1978, he established his own multidisciplinary New York studio and in 1987 became co-owner of Remi restaurants. Tihany was a pioneering designer in collaborations with celebrity chefs, creating multiple signature restaurants for such well-known chefs as Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud and Charlie Palmer. Tihany also created a collection of eight signature restaurants for the legendary Sirio Maccioni of Le Cirque.

"My team is eager to work on this unique project and we're thrilled to be able to merge our vision and aesthetic with Holland America Line's distinct style," said Tihany.

Over the last 30 years, Tihany Design has become a leader in creating luxurious and innovative interiors at some of the world's most iconic properties, such as the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles and One & Only Cape Town. In addition, there are numerous hotels showcasing signature venues by Tihany, including The Breakers, The Broadmoor and Hotel Cipriani in Venice to name a few.

In 2011, Tihany was appointed art director of the Culinary Institute of America, taking the lead on contemporizing the Hyde Park campus.

About Yran & Storbraaten Architects

Founded in 1985, Yran & Storbraaten Architects is one of the world's leading architectural firms, specializing in cruise ship design. Known for working in a diversity of styles, the firm has developed a long international client list. As partners, Bjorn Storbraaten and Petter Yran have been pioneers in developing the luxury segment, achieving Y&S`s standing as one of the industry's best. Storbraaten worked on both ms Nieuw Amsterdam and ms Eurodam, as well as the Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest, providing conceptual and architectural designs of restaurants, outdoor areas, lounges, theaters, nightclubs and bars.

"I look forward to continuing the partnership with Holland America Line and working on this exciting new class of ship that opens the door to additional opportunities onboard," said Storbraaten.

Today’s voyage marks Carnival Miracle’s first-ever departure from Seattle and is the first of 20 week-long departures this summer to the Last Frontier aboard the 2,124-passenger vessel.

During Carnival Miracle’s Alaska sailings, guests can experience and explore coastal towns rich in history and culture, and view awe-inspiring natural wonders, including calving glaciers, magnificent fjords and native sea and animal life. A wide range of shore excursions – from helicopter flightseeing and rainforest canopy tours to hiking, canoeing and kayaking expeditions – are also available. Carnival Miracle also features an on-board naturalist who educates guests on the region’s colorful history and points out animal and marine life from the ship’s bridge.

Following its Alaska program, Carnival Miracle will operate a 15-day Hawaii cruise from Vancouver to Long Beach Sept. 17-Oct. 2, positioning the vessel for a winter schedule of seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises, as well as three 15-day Hawaii departures round-trip from Long Beach

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	35.02	+ 0.66%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	37.09	+ 2.35%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	3.77/FONT>	+ 0.53%
Norwegian Cruise Line (Nasdq: NCLH)	31.82	+ 4.81%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
We all know that Titanic's sister ship Olympic was broken up in 1937. What is amazing is that part of Olympic survived and still sails the seas today. What part of Olympic survived and where is it today?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question - What was the first new North Atlantic liner built after World War II?

Answer - The first new North Atlantic liner built after World War II was the Stockholm.
courtesy of Timothy Edgecombe - Vancouver

Cruise News - April 29, 2013

Both onboard revenue and ticket pricing improved, contributing to a Net Yield increase of 3.6% on a Constant-Currency basis. NCC excluding fuel were also better than anticipated, primarily due to timing, and declined 0.5% on a Constant-Currency basis.

Bunker pricing net of hedging for the first quarter was $699 per metric ton and consumption was 5,000 metric tons lower than expected at 345,900 metric tons. Versus the first quarter of 2012, fuel consumption per APCD was 1.2% lower.

Outlook for Remainder of the Year

Since the beginning of the year booking volumes have averaged 5% ahead of the prior year. At this time, full year booked load factors and APDs are higher than the same time last year. Royal Caribbean said that the overall demand environment is in-line with the company's expectations from February, but as usual there are regional fluctuations. Bookings from North America have remained strong since the beginning of the year, with the exception of a modest disruption to Caribbean demand which Royal Caribbean attributes to adverse industry media coverage. Despite the difficult economic news in the EU, demand from European sourced guests strengthened in early February and the Royal Caribbean said it expects pricing improvement from the region for the year. Demand from China has weakened somewhat due to itinerary changes related to the territorial dispute with Japan.

Royal Caribbean siad that it expects that the negative effects from the adverse industry media coverage in March and itinerary changes in Asia will be offset by the favorable performance in the first quarter and a slightly better outlook for Europe. As a result, full year 2013 Constant-Currency yield expectations remain unchanged from the company's February guidance of an increase of 2% to 4%.

"Our brands have continued to generate solid demand despite a soft economy in Europe and recent adverse industry media coverage," commented Brian J. Rice, vice chairman and chief financial officer. Rice continued, "The consumer continues to recognize that we offer a great vacation at an excellent value."

Based on current fuel pricing and currency exchange rates, NCC excluding fuel are expected to be up 2% to 3% both on Constant-Currency and As-Reported bases.

Royal Caribbean said that it does not forecast changes in foreign currency exchange rates or oil prices. Movements in these two variables are often offsetting, with the recent decrease in oil prices largely negating the unfavorable impact of currency exchange movements.

Based on current fuel pricing and currency exchange rates, Royal Caribbean said that it continues to expect that 2013 earnings will be in the range of $2.30 to $2.50 per share.

Second Quarter 2013 - Constant-Currency Net Yields are expected to increase approximately 3% in the second quarter of 2013. NCC excluding fuel are expected to increase approximately 3% on a Constant-Currency basis, due in part to timing shifts of marketing activities from the first quarter to the second quarter.

Based on current fuel pricing and currency exchange rates, the company expects that second quarter earnings will be in the range of $0.10 to $0.15 per share.

2014 Deployment Update - Royal Caribbean said that it recently opened the majority of its 2014 deployment offerings and announced a two-month European summer micro-season for the Oasis of the Seas that complements the vessel's scheduled maintenance drydock in Rotterdam. Demand for these sailings has been exceptionally strong.

Despite this micro-deployment, the company expects to further reduce its European deployment year-over-year by another 10% and also expects that European itineraries will be approximately 25% of its overall 2014 capacity.

From a new grand atrium lobby and a children’s area of “super hero” proportions to a three-story water thrill slide and a spa to stimulate the “Senses,” there are plenty of new and magical surprises in store for cruise guests. The ship features fun new experiences with Marvel characters – the first time Super Hero icons from the Marvel Universe have been introduced on a Disney Cruise Line ship.

“We have always been committed to reinvesting in our fleet and continuously making shipboard enhancements that elevate the guest experience,” said Karl L. Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. “What we’re doing with the Disney Magic is yet another step forward in our commitment to delivering the absolute best family vacations at sea.”

“Storytelling is at the heart of everything we do,” says Joe Lanzisero, senior creative vice president for Walt Disney Imagineering. “Walt Disney was a master storyteller and knew how to engage people’s emotions into stories. Our job is to take what we learned from Walt and apply it to the experiences on board our ships.”

Here are some highlights of new “magic” in store for guests aboard the Disney Magic after the “reimagineering” transformation of the ship that takes place during dry dock Sept. 7-Oct. 10, 2013 in Cadiz, Spain:

A Grand First Impression - When guests board the Disney Magic, they enter the grand atrium lobby that is redesigned to be “elegant art deco, inspired by elements of the sea,” according to Lanzisero. “Filmmaking is the history of our company and in film the ‘establishing shot’ sets the scene,” he says. “This is the same with the atrium, as we begin telling our story.”

The spacious and spectacular three-deck lobby features hand-tufted, custom-made carpet that dazzles in a palette of vibrant coral, blue and aquamarine seashell-inspired designs. The art deco atrium chandelier is inspired by rays of the sun and the glisten of the surface of the ocean. Opulent furnishings, a grand piano and giant portholes recall the days of early 20th century ocean liners.

The lobby’s centerpiece is a cold-cast bronze statue of “Helmsman Mickey,” ever-smiling and keeping watch as guests stroll past. The famed statue, which has stood in the atrium since the ship was launched, will receive a special makeover bringing new luster to its golden hue.

Disney, Disney-Pixar & Marvel Characters Join the Fun - Disney’s Oceaneer Club, open to 3- to 12-year-old children, is a completely re-imagined area that transports children to the magical realms of brave super heroes, adventuresome toys, fanciful fairies and Mickey Mouse’s club for creativity and fun.

With Marvel now a part of the Walt Disney Company family, this will mark the first time the Super Hero icons of Marvel have been introduced on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Marvel and Walt Disney Imagineers have created a new space for children to enter into the Marvel Universe.

Marvel’s The Avengers will make their presence known in an epic way aboard the Disney Magic, with Marvel’s Avengers Academy calling Disney’s Oceaneer Club its new seaward home. Young crime-fighters will be transported to a high-tech command post used by The Avengers for special missions and operations training.

Throughout the base, displays featuring some of the equipment that helps to make The Avengers the earth’s mightiest heroes – Iron Man’s suit of armor, Captain America’s shield and Thor’s hammer — inspire super hero “recruits” through their academy missions. Avengers Academy is a multi-day, immersive entertainment experience where children interact with Marvel characters and unleash their inner super heroes.

Adjacent to Marvel’s Avengers Academy is Andy’s Room, where stars of the Disney-Pixar “Toy Story” trilogy come to life in a multi-level space. Stocked with all of Andy’s favorite toys, the room features a larger-than-life Mr. Potato Head, a giant version of the lovable piggy bank, Hamm, and a Slinky Dog slide.

Next door is Pixie Hollow, the enchanted land of Tinker Bell and her fairy friends. In this magical forest setting, Tinker Bell’s teapot house serves as a costume closet and children can make crafts while sitting on stools shaped like mushrooms and acorns.

In Disney’s Oceaneer Club guests will find the Mickey Mouse Club, another new children’s area. Inside a room splashed with Mickey’s signature colors of red, yellow and black, kids can create crafts and play games on ear-shaped tables. The club also features Goofy Gears, an oversized activity where kids play with wacky, magnetic spinning gears.

But the kid-sized fun doesn’t stop there! - Disney’s Oceaneer Lab takes 3-to-12-year-old children on a journey of discovery, exploration and adventures. At this new pirate-themed area, children are encouraged to create, play and explore. An animator’s studio, a pirate workshop and lab lets kids get hands-on to create experiments and art projects, and Navigator Simulators let young buccaneers steer a ship through the mysterious waters of The Caribbean.

For the youngest cruisers — ages three months to three years — is the new It’s a Small World Nursery. Inspired by the style of Disney Legend Mary Blair, this whimsical world is a place of age-specific fun and discovery, with trained counselors.

H2…OH! - The upper ship decks of the Disney Magic have been redesigned for plenty of splashtacular fun, with waterful adventures that include a three-story water slide for thrill-seekers and a Huey, Dewey and Louie-themed toddler splash zone for smaller ducklings.

“From small children to teens to adults, everyone will have a space to have fun in the sun and water. We added more water play areas, dynamic slides, interactive elements for the kids, and more shade,” says Lanzisero.

Water thrills are found on the AquaDunk, a three-story body slide that begins with a surprise launch. Riders step inside a translucent tube and await the near-vertical launch that takes place when the floor beneath them opens like a trap door. The drop sends guests on an exhilarating, swift and splashy ride in a translucent tube that extends 20 feet over the side of the ship. Guests taller than 48 inches can enjoy the AquaDunk.

Guests can also soak in the sun and the water fun with AquaLab, an interactive water playground open to kids ages 3 and up. In the AquaLab, families can frolic among pop jets, geysers and bubblers in this fun and fanciful 1,800-square-foot space, while the Twist n’ Spout water slide gets them delightfully drenched with more than 250 feet of sliding fun of loops and turns. Twist n’ Spout is for guests between 38 and 64 inches tall.

Tots up to age 3 can play in the new Nephews’ Splash Zone, a splash-a-second area dedicated to interactive fun and starring Donald Duck’s mischievous nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie. The area features water play with pop jets, squirting figures of Donald Duck’s nephews and plenty of high seas hijinks.

Disney Dining With an Extra Dash of Pixie Dust - New restaurants and new technology are on the menu for the restaurants aboard Disney Magic.

Animator’s Palate, one of the most popular restaurants on the Disney ships, is updated with all-new, animation-adorned walls and larger high-definition flat-screens to provide the best views of the animation magic that takes place all around.

A heaping helping of entertainment is served up during the brand-new “Drawn to Magic” experience at Animator’s Palate. Throughout this deliciously fresh take on Disney Cruise Line’s much beloved classic dinner celebration, the restaurant’s black and white “blank canvas” explodes into full color as favorite Disney and Disney-Pixar characters, such as Rapunzel from “Tangled” and Remy from “Ratatouille,” come to life right before guests’ eyes.

On every Disney Magic cruise, guests will have an opportunity to experience the tremendously popular “Animation Magic” dinner show that celebrates the magic of Disney animation and allows families to create and participate in an innovative way. First unveiled on the Disney Fantasy, “Animation Magic” invites guests to create their own characters that magically spring to life, become fully animated and join the show onscreen.

The vibrancy of Rio de Janeiro creates an energetic atmosphere in Carioca’s, a new restaurant named after Donald Duck’s parrot pal in “The Three Caballeros,” Jose Carioca. Festooned with lighted lanterns, the restaurant is designed to be “fun by day, elegant by night,” says Lanzisero.

During the day, there’s a festival theme and, when night falls, the atmosphere transforms into an after-hours scene of Rio de Janiero, with city-side windows softly illuminated and lanterns flickering overhead. Carioca’s replaces Parrot Cay restaurant, currently on the Disney Magic.

Another new restaurant to the Disney Magic is Cabanas, a casual dining experience with food and beverage stations during daytime hours and a table-service restaurant during dinner. The Australian setting of the Disney-Pixar animated classic “Finding Nemo” inspires the décor with hints of the film’s fishy and feathered friends throughout the restaurant.

Cabanas, which replaces the current Topsider Buffet, also is expanding. More inside space is being added, increasing the total square-footage of air-conditioned area by nearly 3,400 square feet to more than 9,460 square feet and a total of 455 seats.

Disney Cruise Line’s popular Palo restaurant for adults receives a makeover with stylish fixtures, glass artwork and new stone floors. Red and white striped poles reminiscent of those found throughout the canals in Venice are a design feature.

The Fun’s Just Begun When Nighttime Comes - After a day of frolicking on the decks and out and about the ship, Disney Magic offers big city-style fun in After Hours, the nighttime adult entertainment district. An all-new lineup of clubs includes venues for dancing, comedy, music and variety shows. After Hours replaces Beat Street, currently on the Disney Magic.

“It’s our goal to create a sleek and sophisticated adult experience in After Hours” says Lanzisero. “Each of the three clubs has a different feel that complements the others.”

Fathoms night club is a celebration of the sea that utilizes special effects, lighting and sound to create different atmospheres from early evening to night.

“The ocean can sometimes be very calm and sometimes have some big excitement,” Lanzisero says. “That’s what we wanted to create with Fathoms.”

For guests seeking a more low-key nighttime experience, there is Keys piano bar and lounge. Whether guests want to relax with a cocktail and the soft sounds of a piano or “wind down” after an evening of dancing and revelry, Keys provides a refined retreat.

Pub days of olde are recalled in O’Gills, an Irish pub and sports bar designed with traditional decor. Live televised athletic events are on tap for sports-lovers.

Open Up, and Say “Spa” - For the ultimate in relaxation and pampering, the enhanced Senses Spa & Salon offers many indulgences. Redesigned with a sleek and contemporary style, this haven of personal harmony provides an unmatched ocean-view environment. The size of the spa is being expanded by 725 square feet, to a total size of nearly 11,500 square feet.

A new Smile Spa offers teeth whitening services, a new barbershop offers services for the gentlemen and the new Chill Spa provides treatments especially for teens 13 to 17 years of age.

Family Fun in the D Lounge - Another reimagined area, D Lounge, offers a variety of family-friendly games, shows, dances and activities designed for all ages. Colorful and contemporary, this space encourages creative and kinetic fun. Families can enjoy entertainment, game shows and activities together in D Lounge which replaces Studio Sea, currently on the Disney Magic.

Putting more “room” in staterooms - Disney Cruise Line knows that traveling families always need more space, so features are included in each room to provide more usable space. Bed frames are elevated to provide storage space underneath. The bathrooms include the split-bath feature that Disney introduced to the cruise industry — providing even greater convenience to guests

“We are thrilled to be homeporting Navigator of the Seas, with her new enhancements and first at-sea amenities year-round in Galveston,” said Lisa Bauer, executive vice president of Global Sales and Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “As part of our commitment to delivering the most innovative and contemporary vacation experiences to guests, the iconic FlowRider, as well as the new Virtual Balconies, will be among a new range of amenities being introduced aboard the Voyager class of ships – making every ship our best ship. These exciting and unmatched onboard amenities on Navigator of the Seas, offer adventurous family vacationers many opportunities to be WOW’ed in ways that only Royal Caribbean can deliver.”

As part of an extensive program to enhance very ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Navigator of the Seas also will receive many of the most popular and innovative concepts and amenities that were introduced aboard the world-acclaimed and revolutionary Oasis-class ships, such as an oversized outdoor movie screen overlooking the main pool, the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery for guests six to 36 months old in the award-winning Adventure Ocean children’s programming, new Diamond Lounges for suite and Crown & Anchor Society member guests as well as now serving the popular Cupcake Cupboard cupcakes at Café Promenade.

Guests also will find that staying connected at sea will be easier with Wi-Fi availability throughout the ship and enjoy a host of technology enhancements that include flat-panel televisions in all staterooms, as well as interactive signage.

Located aft on Lido Deck, Ji Ji Asian Kitchen will offer mouth-watering creations inspired by regional cuisines from China, Mongolia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam. Items are listed with a corresponding number indicating the region where the cuisine originates.

The menu includes seven different appetizers, including Nanjing-style duck, whose origin dates back 1,400 years, along with slow-braised pork belly and soups such as Tamarind & Shrimp and Chicken & Cilantro Root. Even favorites like spring rolls get an interesting twist with lemon marmalade, curry leaves, pink grapefruit and cilantro pearls. Entrees are just as varied with seven different choices, including slow-braised Wagyu beef short rib with watermelon radish, burdock root, wasabi pearl and crisp potatoes, as well as stewed pork served in a clay pot with wok-fried scallions, sesame, fresh spinach, pea shoots, and snap peas, and Singapore chili shrimp, inspired by local street vendors and featuring a sweet and spicy chili sauce. Rounding out the menu are various sides, noodles and rice dishes, along with Asian-themed desserts like rose crème brulee with ginger cream. Japanese beers and full bar service are available, as well.

Meals are enjoyed amidst stylish and elegant surroundings with decorative touches like hanging light fixtures, warm and inviting interiors, and Chinese prayer rolls located throughout.

Ji Ji Asian Kitchen carries a $12 per person charge for adults, $5 for children 11 and under. At lunch, the restaurant will offer complimentary custom-made noodle dishes where guests can select their choice of noodles, vegetables, spices and meats.

Ji Ji Asian Kitchen is one of a seemingly endless array of culinary choices on Carnival Sunshine which will also include Guy’s Burger Joint developed in tandem with Food Network personality Guy Fieri, BlueIguana Cantina, Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian restaurant, and the 24-hour Pizzeria del Capitano, complementing the expansive Lido Marketplace poolside eatery and two main dining rooms.

Carnival Sunshine will operate a series of nine- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages May through October followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to New Orleans, positioning the vessel for year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises from the Big Easy beginning in November

Medallion level members will now enjoy extra benefits in addition to Gold level perks, including a complimentary upgrade to the Platinum Princess Vacation Protection and a discount on the price of a souvenir Reflections DVD. Medallion cruise cards and pins will feature a deep burgundy color.

“This new Captain’s Circle level offers passengers who’ve discovered cruising with Princess a way to move up the program’s tiers at a faster rate.” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “We know Gold members are often anxious to reach the next tier, so this new level will add some benefits before they become Platinum members.”

Medallion level benefits include:

• Complimentary upgrade to Platinum Princess Vacation Protection – When passengers purchase the standard Princess Vacation Protection, they will receive a complimentary upgrade to Platinum protection. Available for US and Canadian passengers, this added coverage includes double benefits for Accidents & Sickness Medical Expense and Baggage/Personal Effects coverage. In addition, the special cancellation feature increases to a 100 percent credit.

• A 10% discount off the purchase of the Reflections Cruise DVD – On each cruise, onboard videographers capture live memories from the sailing, including ports of call, shore excursions, ship events, and behind-the-scenes information about the ship. Medallion members and higher can now take advantage of this new benefit to purchase the cruise souvenir at a 10 percent discount. (*where available, cannot be combined with any other promotion, excluding world cruise)

• Access to preferred shoreside Captain’s Circle help desk phone line – Medallion members can now enjoy an exclusive shoreside phone number for contact to the Circle Desk. Calls will be routed quickly through to the membership desk to assist with cruise history, membership status, benefits delivery or any other Captain’s Circle-related questions.

• Medallion Pin – Members will receive a new two-toned burgundy and gold pin.

• All Gold level benefits – Members continue to get benefits such as special cruise pricing, members-only events on board, The Princess Captain’s Circle Quarterly magazine, access to an onboard Captain’s Circle host, and other special features for members.

The Princess Captain’s Circle program offers special onboard recognition to passengers based on their number of completed cruises or days sailed – whichever is most beneficial to the passenger. Members enjoy various ongoing rewards, plus special benefits based on their level. In addition to the new Medallion level, the program includes Gold (after one Princess cruise), Platinum (after five cruises or 50 cruise days) and Elite (after 15 cruises or 150 cruise days) levels.

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	34.82	+ 5.01%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	36.24	+ 7.51%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	3.75/FONT>	+ 10.29%
Norwegian Cruise Line (Nasdq: NCLH)	30.36	+ 3.34%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
What was the first new North Atlantic liner built after World War II?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question - What is the largest twin-screw ocean liner ever built?

Answer - The largest twin-screw ocean liner ever built was Cunard's QE2.
courtesy of Robert in Newport News, Virginia

Cruise News - April 22, 2013

During the storm, which had winds exceeding 70 miles per hour, Carnival Triumph broke away from its moorings at the BAE shipyard when four of the bollards on the pier that the mooring lines were tied to broke apart, causing damage to the vessel and delaying the repair work. The ship was towed to the Mobile Cruise Terminal where repairs continue.

The situation has resulted in a 10-day delay in the scheduled repair plan. Carnival Triumph is now scheduled to return to service from Galveston, Texas, on June 13. Guests on the cancelled sailings will receive a full refund, reimbursement for travel expenses, and a future cruise discount of 25 percent. Travel agent commissions will be protected.

To complete the remaining repairs, Carnival Triumph will eventually be repositioned from Mobile to Freeport, The Bahamas. In order for the repairs to be fully completed, Carnival Triumph must be placed in a dry dock facility large enough to accommodate a vessel of this size, which is not available in Mobile.

“We’re extremely disappointed to have to cancel these additional voyages and, although the cause was beyond our control, we sincerely apologize to our guests for this disruption to their vacation plans,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. “We know how much our guests were looking forward to their vacations and we sincerely regret the inconvenience this will cause.”

The announcement garnered a lot of attention in the press and generated questions about how exactly the system would work and how durable the screens would be. Well, Royal Caribbean decided to look for those answers sooner rather than later as they announced this week that it will install its first virtual balconies on Navigator of the Seas when it undergoes revitalization early next year.

Quantum of the Seas is currently under construction and is expected to enter service in November of 2014. Royal Caribbean International CEO Adam Goldstein said of the virtual balconies "It's going to bring a completely different feel to the experience."

Goldstein added that while there will not be a specific surcharge for interior cabins with virtual balconies, he said he hopes they will bring higher yields. "The whole experience will be more valuable to our guests and we expect that to be reflected in the ticket price," he said.

The 3,100-passenger Navigator of the Seas, which entered service in 2002, will go into drydock next January to get the Royal Advantage upgrade package. It is scheduled to sail from Galveston when the upgrades are complete.

"A growing number of our guests choose Seabourn's new ships specifically because of our beautiful onboard Spa at Seabourn facilities," said Seabourn President Richard Meadows. "Some of these guests have expressed a desire to incorporate a more complete spa vacation experience into their cruises, and our Penthouse Spa Suites are designed to fulfill that wish."

Seabourn commissioned the Norwegian architecture and design firm of Yran & Storbraaten -- who designed Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest -- to come up with a plan to utilize the section of Deck 10 directly above the spa for the new accommodations. The result is four spacious suites with 516 to 538 sq. ft. (48 – 50 sq. m.) of inside space, with expansive private verandas of 172 sq. ft. (16 sq. m.) with views over the ship's stern and the sea. The suites' decor is coordinated with that of the Spa at Seabourn, and all feature a living and a dining area with seating for four, a separate bedroom, walk-in closet, glass door and floor-to-ceiling windows onto the veranda, a bathroom with a tub and special spa shower, and two flat-screen TVs.

The new suites will offer guests a variety of healthy amenities and spa specialties. Along with the guests' personal beverage preferences, a second in-suite bar will also be fully stocked with flavored water and fruit juices, and a selection of mixed nuts, dried fruits and healthy snacks. Guests can choose a calming fragrance from a selection of four by L'Occitane, to be diffused throughout the suite during the evening turndown. Relaxing, soothing spa music will also be available as a background soundtrack in the suite. The bathrooms will feature a new menu of Molton Brown specialty spa products, such as exfoliating body wash and polish and thermal salts body soak, in addition to the company's high end line of bath products that are currently available in every suite. Upon arrival, guests will be invited to select from a menu of luxurious bath sponges, as well as designer soaps by Hermes, L'Occitane, Baudelaire and Salvatore Ferragamo.

A Spa Concierge will assist guests booked in the Penthouse Spa Suites with reservations for their personalized treatment regimes throughout their stay on board. Guests will have daily access to the spa's Serene Area, which features heated lounges, an aroma steam bath with salt inhalation, and a herbal bath. In the Serene Area aboard Seabourn Odyssey is a large hydro-pool, while Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Sojourn features a Kneipp Walk Pool, which provides holistic, water therapy treatment and healing remedies designed to enhance circulation.

The Spa at Seabourn offers a variety of unique, healthy spa experiences and luxurious pampering services and treatments, including Chinese reflexology, aromatherapy, and Thai massages. The fitness center features a range of high-tech exercise, cardio and strength equipment; a motion studio with the Kinesis System; and a variety of fitness classes, including yoga, Pilates and tai chi. Personal trainers are also available to develop customized workout routines for guests.

Today’s voyage kicks off Carnival’s most diverse European season ever, encompassing the line’s first Norwegian fjords voyage and its first extended program from the UK.

Carnival Legend’s 2013 European season runs April 22-Sept. 13 and includes 12-day voyages to Norway/Western Europe, the British Isles and the Baltic departing from Dover (London), along with 12-day Mediterranean cruises departing from Venice, Barcelona and Dover.

Following its European schedule, Carnival Legend will operate a one-of-a-kind 15-day trans-Atlantic crossing from London (Dover) to New York Sept. 25 – Oct. 10, 2013, calling at Dublin, Ireland; Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland; Belfast (Northern Ireland); Reykjavik, Iceland; Qaqortoq, Greenland; and St. John’s, Newfoundland (Canada).

The ship will resume its regular seven-day western Caribbean rotation from Tampa beginning Nov. 3, 2013.

A white-petal variety with delicate fringed petals was chosen to honor the company that was founded at Rotterdam, the Netherlands, April 18, 1873, as a trans-Atlantic cargo and passenger shipping company. Today the company's fleet of 15 premium cruise ships sails more than 500 cruises on all seven continents.

"Holland America Line has a deep connection to the Netherlands, and to have a tulip named especially for our company is a true honor," said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line. "I can't imagine a more appropriate way to celebrate our 140th anniversary than to christen our tulip in the world's most beautiful and famous gardens."

In a November 2012 ceremony, Holland America Line "Signature" tulip bulbs were handed over from the grower near the windmill at Keukenhof that Holland America donated in 1957. In December, bulbs were planted at the cruise line's Seattle headquarters and its Southampton, England, office. In addition to collaborating with the gardens to develop the tulip, Holland America Line participated in the annual Bloemencorso Bollenstreek flower parade on April 19 and 20. The line last participated in the parade in 1948 when the company entered a 35-foot flower float modeled on s.s. Westerdam that was awarded first place.

Known as the Garden of Europe, Keukenhof is the world's largest flower garden, located in Lisse, the Netherlands. Approximately 7 million flower bulbs of 1,600 varieties are planted annually at the park. The Keukenhof is only open for two months each year, from March 21 through May 20, and attracts more than 800,000 visitors from around the world. For more information visit: http://www.keukenhof.nl.

The eight-day roundtrip voyage from Seattle explores the hundreds of islands, many of which are uninhabited, nestled between Canada's Vancouver Island and the U.S. mainland. While aboard, guests enjoy elegant accommodations, personalized service, fine dining, nightly entertainment and daily lectures and seminars from local experts on the region's rich history. The Puget Sound itinerary will run from April 2013 through October 2013 and then again from March 2014 through November 2014. Rates start at $3,750 per person.

"We are excited to offer the Puget Sound cruise to our guests and to provide a unique experience in that location," said Timothy Beebe, Vice President of American Cruise Lines. "We recognize that cruisers have many options these days and we are proud they choose to sail with us and identify our brand as a leader in the cruise industry."

The Puget Sound and San Juan Islands cruise will feature a variety of excursions:

• Victoria, Canada: This adventurous day begins with a ferry ride to Victoria, Canada from Port Angeles, WA. On a guided tour guests can visit Butchart Gardens - one of Victoria's most famous and popular attractions. After the gardens, guests can participate in a narrated tour of the city before taking the ferry back to Port Angeles.
• Anacortes, WA: Located between Seattle and Vancouver, on beautiful Fidalgo Island, Anacortes is known as the gateway to the San Juan. A thriving seaside town with a past that mirrors the fascinating boom and busy history and entrepreneurial spirit of the area, a walking tour is a great way to get a true feel for the town. Guests can admire the extensive, colorful murals depicting the history of the city while taking in the town center and the W.T. Preston stern wheeler.
• Friday Harbor: Guests can visit The Whale Museum and learn about the natural history of marine mammals in the museum's Gallery of the Whales, with a special focus on orcas that live in the surrounding area.
• Olympic National Park and Hurricane Ridge: Known as a land of beauty and variety, guests can explore the home of some of the largest remnants of ancient forests left in this country while at Olympic National Park. While at Olympic National Park, guests can marvel at the spectacular view at Hurricane Ridge.
• Port Townsend, WA: Guests can experience the 19th century Victorian buildings, historic charm and striking natural setting in Port Townsend by taking part in a guided walking tour through the town.

The American Spirit carries 100 guests in 200 square foot staterooms, which feature large opening picture windows and hotel-style bathrooms, various unique panoramic lounges and amenities including an exercise area and putting green.

"We are so honored that the Rockettes will christen our newest and most innovative ship and are thrilled that their presence will be felt long after the ceremony," says Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "We are confident that our guests will enjoy interacting with the one-of-a-kind Rockettes experiences that are available on board, just one more example of how this ship will truly bring the best of NYC to sea."

Guests sailing on Norwegian Breakaway during the first six sailings or on the first sailing of each month will have the opportunity to interact with the Rockettes during their cruise through a variety of unique experiences. While sailing on board, the Rockettes will offer three meet & greet sessions with guests, giving an exclusive opportunity to take pictures with the legendary dancers dressed in their glamorous costumes. During the cruise, the Rockettes will also host two "Speaker Series," events where guests will have the chance to participate in question and answer sessions and learn more about this renowned New York dance company.

Active guests sailing with the Rockettes can get fit with the dancers by participating in one of three morning fitness sessions hosted by the Rockettes in the ship's state-of-the-art Mandara Spa and Fitness Center, as well as have the opportunity to learn the Rockettes signature choreography during one of three Rockettes dance classes. Special Rockettes-inspired classes, hosted by Norwegian Breakaway's fitness team, will also be available for guests on all Norwegian Breakaway sailings.

Guests on all Norwegian Breakaway sailings will feel the strong influence of this legendary dance company, even when the Rockettes are not physically on board. Guests on all cruises are invited to explore the "Rockettes celebratory exhibit" located in Norwegian Breakaway's library, card room and connecting corridor. This specially-designed gallery features a look at the glamorous Rockettes costumes, photos and videos of the Rockette

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	33.16	- 0.03%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	33.71	+ 3.37%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	3.40/FONT>	+ 2.41%
Norwegian Cruise Line (Nasdq: NCLH)	29.38	- 2.29%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
What is the largest twin-screw ocean liner ever built?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question - Which ocean liner had the first on-board movie theater/cinema?

Answer - The first theater/Cinema at sea was aboard the French Lines Normandie of 1935.
courtesy of Dave in LA

Cruise News - April 15, 2013

"This new generation of ships gave us an opportunity to make another leap in vessel design. Innovation has always been part of our DNA and we have taken advantage of all that creativity to design Quantum cruising," stated Richard D. Fain, chairman & CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. "The unique features on Quantum will boggle our guests' minds, but the real strength of the design is how our people have integrated all these diverse components to create a comfortable and exciting experience."

Unprecedented "Firsts At Sea" - Having led the industry by introducing incredible signature offerings such as the Rock Climbing Wall, ice-skating rink, FlowRider surf simulator, Central Park and AquaTheater, Royal Caribbean will advance the onboard experience even further by delivering a groundbreaking lineup of "firsts at sea" on Quantum-class ships. New features exclusive to Royal Caribbean include:

• RipCord by iFly, the first skydiving experience at sea which allows everyone from first-time flyers to seasoned skydivers to enjoy the sheer thrill and exhilaration of skydiving in a safe, controlled, and simulated environment.

• North Star, an engineering marvel, takes guests to new heights – literally – with a jewel-shaped, glass capsule, transporting them on a spectacular journey more than 300 feet above the ocean and over the sides of the ship to deliver awe-inspiring 360-degree views.

"We are excited to be introducing major advancements in ship design and offerings on Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas," said Adam Goldstein, president & CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "The innovative spirit of our brand is alive and well, and with Quantum class, we will deliver more unexpected activities in the most extraordinary spaces. Our guests should prepare to be wowed." New Transformational Signature Venues - With Quantum class, Royal Caribbean marries new innovations with significant architectural design elements to introduce spectacular spaces. On Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas guests will find endless possibilities with three new signature venues.

• A revolutionary concept, Two70 degree is a multi-level great room that is sure to become one of the most iconic venues onboard Quantum class. The space is aptly named for its magnificent 270-degree panoramic sea views through vast, floor-to-ceiling glass walls spanning almost three decks at the stern of the ship. Two70 degree seamlessly fuses entertainment and technology to create a transformative journey from day to night. The perfect setting to connect with the sea during the day, Two70 degree provides a modern and comfortable living room space for guests to sit back and relax. As the sun sets and the lights go down, the dazzling space gradually reveals its evening persona, delighting guests with spectacular, mysterious and unexpected entertainment at night. Unparalleled technology means every show at Two70 degree is multidimensional and immerses the audience through a combination of live performers, including aerialists, as well as breathtaking video and digital scenery.

• The largest indoor active space at sea, SeaPlex is a distinctive and flexible sporting and entertainment venue with thrilling new features that will inspire guests of all ages to let loose and connect with their playful sides. Delivering more first at sea experiences, guests can experience a circus school with flying trapeze, or play basketball on a full-size regulation basketball court. By night, the first-ever bumper car and roller skating offerings deliver fun and excitement. Or, guests can dance to music orchestrated from a floating DJ booth which hovers above the activity below.

• A performance hall and the hottest live music venue on Quantum class, Music Hall is the place for guests to enjoy intimate and exclusive access to live performances, DJs, theme night parties, billiards and more. Rebellious and edgy, Music Hall's two-story design is inspired by the spirit of rock and roll.

The Next Generation of Stateroom Accommodations - With guest comfort and convenience in mind, Royal Caribbean debuts the most spacious and luxurious accommodations ever, introducing rooms that on average are nine percent larger than those of Oasis class ships. Sophisticated, upscale design, layouts and finishes create a home away from home. Boasting Royal Caribbean's new smart design concept, each stateroom features contemporary designs with easy-to-use customizable layouts and intuitive larger storage solutions.

• Now every room on Quantum of the Seas has a view, with the exciting introduction of Virtual Balcony staterooms. This design concept brings virtual balconies to interior staterooms offering expansive real-time views of the ocean and exciting destinations.

• For multi-generational families, Family-Connected staterooms deliver more flexibility, using three different stateroom categories which connect to form a special layout that provides separate bedrooms and bathrooms for all. These accommodations allow families and groups of friends traveling together to enjoy the best of both worlds when it comes to together and alone time.

• With Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean introduces the largest variety of stateroom categories, including new Studio staterooms, some with balconies for single travelers, three Junior Suite categories and larger Loft Suites.

Signature Features Return and More New Surprises To Come - The adults-only Solarium, along with an outdoor pool, a new indoor pool with operable roof and a H2O Zone kids' aqua park, will be featured on the top deck. Signature Royal Caribbean venues and experiences popular with families such as the Rock Climbing Wall; FlowRider surf simulator; the award-winning Adventure Ocean children's program; the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery; and the DreamWorks entertainment and events featuring the characters from animated movies: Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar; will all be back on Quantum class. Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas also will make a quantum leap forward in its culinary offerings providing the most flexible dining options and more specialty restaurants than ever before. Additional details about dining, entertainment and other unexpected features and amenities on Quantum of the Seas will be unveiled in the coming months.

Quantum class will debut in fall 2014 with Quantum of the Seas, followed by her sister-ship Anthem of the Seas in spring 2015. Quantum ships span 18 decks, encompass 167,800 gross registered tons, carry 4,180 guests at double occupancy and feature 2,090 staterooms. Quantum of the Seas will sail out of the New York Harbor from her homeport of Cape Liberty on 7- to 12-night itineraries during the winter 2014/15 season. Bookings will be available to Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program members starting May 27, 2013 before opening to the general public on June 4

The actions by Carnival Cruise Lines will expand the availability of hotel services for the comfort of its guests in the rare instance of a shipboard event that involves the loss of main power. In addition, the plan will reinforce key shipboard operating systems to further prevent a potential loss of primary power. The improvement plan is the result of a comprehensive operational review, overseen by parent company Carnival Corporation & plc, initiated immediately after the Carnival Triumph fire in February 2013.

"All of Carnival Cruise Lines' ships operate safely today. Each vessel already has effective systems in place to prevent, detect and respond to emergency situations, and we meet or exceed all regulatory requirements," said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines. "However, by applying lessons learned through our fleet-wide operational review after the Carnival Triumph fire and by taking advantage of new technologies, we have identified areas for enhancement across our operations. These initiatives reflect our commitment to safe and reliable operations and an enjoyable cruising experience for the nearly 4.5 million guests who sail with Carnival Cruise Lines each year."

Increased Emergency Generator Power - The initial increase in emergency generator power across Carnival Cruise Lines' fleet of 24 ships will be completed over the next several months. An additional emergency generator will be installed on each vessel to provide for 100 percent of stateroom and public toilets, fresh water and elevators in the unlikely event of a loss of main power. The work is already underway and will not affect scheduled itineraries. Upon completion of the initial phase, the line will install a second permanent back-up power system on each ship to provide an even greater level of hotel and guest services if main power is lost. These additional services will include expanded cooking facilities and cold food storage, as well as internet and telephone communications.

"Although every ship in our fleet currently has emergency back-up power which is designed to enable the continuous operation of safety equipment and some hotel services, it is our intent to significantly bolster that back-up power to support the core hotel services. With this improvement, we will better ensure guest comfort in the rare instance of a loss of main power," said Cahill.

Increased Fire Prevention, Detection and Suppression Systems - The company will also make additional investments in the newest and most technically advanced fire prevention, detection and suppression systems. This includes upgrading the existing water mist fire suppression systems already in place on Carnival vessels to the newest generation. When triggered, this high-pressure water mist system instantly creates a larger and thicker blanket of water droplets than the present system. As the water droplets evaporate, the system also rapidly cools any hot areas to prevent the possibility of a fire restarting.

"On Carnival Triumph, our fire systems were effective and our teams performed well in controlling and extinguishing the fire. However, we want to take advantage of the latest and most-advanced generation of fire safety systems to enhance the current extensive capabilities across our fleet," added Cahill.

Enhanced Operating Redundancies - All of Carnival Cruise Lines ships have two separate, redundant engine rooms. The company's operational review has identified modifications to further decrease the likelihood of losing propulsion or primary power, as happened on Carnival Triumph in February. The modifications will include a reconfiguration of certain engine-related electrical components. On ships where these enhancements will be made, the design and fabrication of specialized components will require longer lead times for completion, in contrast to the immediate upgrades to back-up emergency power and other systems.

Last month, Carnival Cruise Lines announced results from the first phase of the company's operational review, specifically addressing Carnival Triumph and Carnival Sunshine, both of which are currently out of service. The plan for each of these ships addresses each of the three areas outlined above.

Company to Form New Safety & Reliability Review Board - Carnival Cruise Lines also announced the formation of a Safety & Reliability Review Board comprised of outside experts with significant expertise in marine and occupational safety, reliability and maintenance, marine regulatory compliance and quality control/assurance. The company already receives oversight and input from outside regulatory authorities and industry experts. The new Review Board will provide an additional, independent third-party perspective, drawing from deep experience across a number of relevant fields and organizations.

The Review Board will be comprised of five external members. Active searches are underway for candidates with previous experience in organizations such as the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and National Transportation Safety Board, as well as leading airlines and equipment manufacturers.

"The formation of our Safety & Reliability Review Board is an integral part of how Carnival Cruise Lines will drive continuous improvement across our fleet. We will be responsive to its recommendations," said Cahill.

In coordination with the United States Coast Guard, the 13 Cuban nationals were taken on board the Carnival Conquest and provided food, water and medical treatment. No injuries or deaths were reported. The Carnival Conquest rendezvoused with a U. S. Coast Guard cutter late last night near Key West to transfer them.

It was not immediately known what would be done with the migrants, but a U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson said undocumented, non-U.S. citizens heading toward American waters are usually repatriated to their home countries.

Carnival Conquest was sailing on a seven day Eastern Caribbean itinerary and had departed from from New Orleans, LA the previous Sunday.

Celebrity Constellation in 2010 was the first of the four to be Solsticized, with the addition of the specialty restaurant Tuscan Grille, new staterooms, renovated bathrooms, new bedding, new flat-screen TVs, entirely refreshed public spaces, and new color schemes throughout the ship. Based on positive guest response, Celebrity then chose to add even more guest-favorite Solstice Class features onto sister ships Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Summit as each completed the Solsticizing project, and now, Celebrity Constellation will feature the full complement, too.

When the ship re-enters service May 5, 2013, the following new features and venues will join those that were added in 2010:
• Celebrity's stylish AquaClass accommodations - a total of 107 staterooms (70 entirely new; 37 converted from ConciergeClass) - highlighted by exclusive access to the Mediterranean-themed "Blu" specialty restaurant and complimentary access to the soothing Persian
• Garden and Relaxation Room in the ship's revitalizing AquaSpa.
• A total of 17 new oceanview and 12 inside staterooms
• Spacious verandas accompanying the ship's eight luxurious Celebrity Suites, complete with 24/7 butler service.
• The hip Celebrity iLounge - which made Celebrity the first Authorized Apple Reseller upon introduction on Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and has since evolved to Celebrity's designation as an Apple Specialist - with Apple workstations, informative classes on the latest products and technologies, and a retail store.
• Full wi-fi capability throughout the ship.
• The trendy craft beer experience first introduced in Michael's Club across Celebrity's Solstice Class fleet now also will be offered in
• Celebrity Constellation's Michael's Club.
• New meetings and conference space accommodating up to 208 guests, courtesy of reconfiguring the prior area to one large room that can be divided into two spaces.

All suites and staterooms will feature new mattresses made by Reverie. Custom-designed for Celebrity Cruises, the mattresses are hand-made in the U.S. with natural raw materials farmed in a sustainable manner, and are nearly entirely recyclable and/or biodegradable. The mattresses also feature removable covers that are hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial and dust mite-resistant.

All suites onboard will feature premium Reverie mattresses with all of the same attributes, in addition to the ability to allow guests to tailor their sleep experience to their personal preferences -from extra plush to firm - with the help of their butler. Rounding out the Solsticizing initiative throughout Celebrity Constellation will be new color schemes, new carpeting and new upholstery reflective of the Solstice Class, new sun loungers on the pool decks, and an upgraded basketball court.

For guests who want to take part in this annual tradition but have less time on their hands, eight segments ranging in length from 20 to 86 days are available from departure ports along the route. Seven overnight calls, evening theme balls, local entertainment brought on board and a host of other highlights ensure every segment is exciting and memorable.

"When it comes to a dream vacation, our Grand World Voyage is as special as you can get due to its length, number of ports and exotic destinations, and our 2014 voyage is no exception," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "Every year we like to change the Grand World Voyage itinerary so each journey is one of a kind and features calls that offer some of the most sought-after sights and experiences in the world."

Following Amsterdam's departure from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the ship will take a westerly course from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean via a daylight transit of the Panama Canal. Two full overnights at Callao, Peru, enable guests to take an overland tour to Machu Picchu, also known as the Lost City of the Incas and one of the most breathtaking sites in the world.

Easter Island remains on the "must see" list of every avid traveler for its remote location and eerie moai sculptures, and guests on this voyage will get to visit it and Pitcairn Island before an overnight call at Papeete, French Polynesia. Amsterdam's guests will explore six more ports in the South Pacific before heading Down Under to Australia.

For the 2014 Grand World Voyage, Amsterdam sails up the east coast of Australia following an overnight call at Sydney. Extra time in one of the most popular ports on the journey allows for an evening at the famed Sydney Opera House, the opportunity to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge or an overland tour to Ayers Rock. The ship also calls at Brisbane and Yorkeys Knob (Cairns), Australia.

Two calls at Papua New Guinea, lead the way to Yap Island, Micronesia, which features lush greenery, beautiful beaches and a diverse marine life including the fascinating giant manta ray. The ship then calls at Cebu and Manila, Philippines, before an anticipated arrival at Hong Kong, China, where guests will have an overnight visit to take in the bustling markets, historic sites and vibrant culture.

Blending Asian traditions with a pristine western cityscape, next guests will have an overnight call at Singapore to get to know the bustling city. This call also acts as the departure point for an overland tour to Cambodia and Angkor Wat, one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.

The ship continues its westerly course to Phuket, Thailand, and Colombo, Sri Lanka, before heading south and calling at the stunning island port of Victoria, Mahe, in the Seychelles. An overnight call at this picture-perfect paradise allows for time to relax on the beaches and wander through the colorful Victoria Botanical Gardens.

Amsterdam's African exploration continues with calls at Port Louis, Mauritus, and La Possession, Reunion, before spending time at two South African ports. Guests will have the opportunity to visit Durban — the largest city in South Africa — before an overnight call at Cape Town, one of the most iconic cities in the world. The ship then makes its way up the west coast of Africa with calls at Walvis Bay, Namibia, which touches the edge of the Namib Desert; the remote island of Jamestown, Saint Helena, where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his last days; Georgetown, Ascension Island, with its historic World War II connection and 44 volcano craters; Banjul, Gambia, where a camel safari, canoe adventure and the Abuko Nature Reserve await, and finally Dakar, Senegal, one of west Africa's largest cities and home to a newly completed African Renaissance Monument.

Following a call at Mindelo, Cape Verde, nearly 400 miles off the coast of Africa, Amsterdam sets a course for the Caribbean on the final leg of the Grand World Voyage. Guests will have three days on the tropical islands of Barbados, Dominica and St. Maarten before concluding the journey at Fort Lauderdale.

In a statement released this week, the cruise company said that "It should be clearly noted that at no point in time has Carnival stated it would refuse to reimburse federal agencies if they sought remuneration. Although no agencies have requested remuneration, the company has made the decision to voluntarily provide reimbursement to the federal government."

The company's board of directors approved a record date for the quarterly dividend of May 24, 2013, and a payment date of June 14, 2013.

Holders of Carnival Corporation common stock and Carnival plc ADSs will receive the dividend payable in U.S. dollars. The dividend for Carnival plc ordinary shares will be payable in U.S. dollars or sterling. In the absence of instructions or elections to the contrary, holders of Carnival plc ordinary shares will automatically receive the dividend in sterling.

Dividends payable in sterling will be converted from U.S. dollars at the exchange rate quoted by the Bank of England in London at 12 noon on June 3, 2013. Holders of Carnival plc ordinary shares wishing to receive their dividend in U.S. dollars or participate in the Carnival plc Dividend Reinvestment Plan must elect to do so by May 24, 2013.

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	33.17	- 1.69%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	32.61	- 0.34%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	3.32	- 2.35%
Norwegian Cruise Line (Nasdq: NCLH)	30.07	+ 0.27%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
Which ocean liner had the first on-board movie theater/cinema?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question - Which Holland America ship caught fire and sank off the Alaska coast in October 1980 while on a positioning cruise from Vancouver to the Orient? Her 524 passengers and crew were evacuated safely.

Answer - The HAL ship which sank off Alaska in 1980 was the handsome 9,000-tonner PRINSENDAM. HAL Captain Menke (who was not serving in Prinsendam at the time of the mishap) used to say she was his favourite ship and praised her ability to "stop on a dime."
courtesy of David Rodstein

Cruise News - April 8, 2013

The settlement means that Costa will no longer face a criminal trial in Italy. Both the prosecution and Costa said they were satisfied by the ruling by the preliminary court judge, Valeria Montesarchio and the cruise line said that it will not file an appeal. According to Costa Cruises lawyer Marco De Luca "This is a balanced decision. It is the most reasonable solution."

The settlement does not cover any lawsuits filed by private individuals such as passengers and crew. In addition, Italian authorities are expected to continue their investigation into and prosecution of the individuals responsible for the accident. Costa Concordia's captain, Francesco Schettino has been charged with manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning the ship. He could face as many as 20 years in jail if found guilty. Five other members of the crew and three employees of Costa have also been charged and are likely to face trial.

At the time of the incident approximately 800 people were aboard, including 600 crew members and 200 contractors who were working to repair the damage the ship sufferred as a result of fire in the engine room in February. As a result of that incident, the ship was adrift for five days and passengers complained of horrible onboard conditions with no air conditioning, overflowing toilets in some areas of the ship and meals consisting of cold onion sandwiches.

In the statement about Wednesday's incident, Carnival said that according to meteorological experts, the excessive winds were produced by a phenomenon known as a gravity wave, which is difficult to predict and typically does not produce winds of the level of severity experienced Wednesday.

Carnival said that as per normal procedure numerous mooring lines were used to properly secure the ship to the pier. However, four of the bollards that the mooring lines were tied to and are embedded into the pier broke apart.

The ship remains docked at the Mobile Cruise Terminal and repairs are continuing. At this time it has not yet been determined how long the ship will remain at the cruise terminal.

The spectacular ceremony will uphold British ship-naming traditions including the blessing, a performance by the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards, together with contemporary highlights.

Alan Buckelew, the line's president and CEO said "It is a great honor for Princess Cruises that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has accepted our invitation to become the Godmother to Royal Princess. We are delighted that the Duchess will launch our new ship and can think of no better way to celebrate our company's British heritage and our commitment to the country."

Royal Princess will arrive at the Ocean Terminal in Southampton on Friday, June 7, where she will commence a series of events for customers and travel agents, including a special naming gala on the evening of Wednesday, June 12. The ship's inaugural celebrations will conclude with her maiden voyage on June 16.

The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is a new-generation ship. Among the special features found on board will be a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; an over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on water; the new Princess Live! television studio; the largest pastry shop at sea; a special Chef's Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms.

The inaugural period of Royal Princess also includes two short preview cruises prior to and following the naming. After her maiden voyage the ship will sail Grand Mediterranean cruises throughout the summer, followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn. More information and video previews of the ship are available at www.princess.com/royalprincess.

Carnival Legend will operate the company’s most diverse European schedule ever, encompassing 12-day voyages to Norway/Western Europe, the British Isles and the Baltic departing from Dover (London), along with 12-day Mediterranean cruises departing from Venice, Barcelona and Dover April 22 to September 13, 2013.

Following its European schedule, Carnival Legend will operate a one-of-a-kind 15-day trans-Atlantic crossing from London (Dover) to New York Sept. 25 – Oct. 10, 2013, calling at Dublin, Ireland; Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland; Belfast (Northern Ireland); Reykjavik, Iceland; Qaqortoq, Greenland; and St. John’s, Newfoundland (Canada).

Carnival Legend will resume its regular seven-day western Caribbean rotation from Tampa beginning Nov. 3, 2013.

The new tours were developed for European travelers who may be more familiar with these ports and already visited key monuments and traditional sights such as the Colosseum in Rome or Acropolis in Athens. Now Spanish-, Dutch- and German-speaking guests looking for something new can opt to book a less traditional tour — offered in their own language — such as a hiking adventure, biking through town or visiting the countryside. However, for European guests who still want to visit popular landmarks, tours also will be available in the three languages to those destinations. Foreign language tours are offered when 30 guests who speak a common language are booked on a voyage.

“We have a multicultural mix of clientele and adding these tours in three languages ensures that all of our guests have an enriching and fulfilling cruise, both on board and ashore," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. “These tours are not just translations of our English-language tours; they were developed while thinking about the preferences of our international guests."

Tours offered in Dutch include Hiking Ft. Floien in Bergen; an excursion from Monaco to the city of Villefranche-sur-Mer or a relaxing Kayak along the Aurlandsfjord in Flam. German-speaking tours include a visit to the ancient city of Iliada from the port of Katákolon, Greece or a beer cruise on the Bosporus Strait in Istanbul, Turkey. Spanish-speaking guests might enjoy a 4x4 expedition to the village of Cámara de Lobos in Portugal or a beach tour in Valencia, Spain.

The program is expanding and select excursions are offered in German and Spanish throughout South America.

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	33.74	- 0.65%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	32.72	+ 0.31%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	3.40	+ 1.49%
Norwegian Cruise Line (Nasdq: NCLH)	29.99	+ 0.20%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
Which Holland America ship caught fire and sank off the Alaska coast in October 1980 while on a positioning cruise from Vancouver to the Orient? Her 524 passengers and crew were evacuated safely.

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question - Which former Atlantic liner ended her long career being subjected to partial flooding and numerous explosions as she served as a floating prop in the 1959 MGM film The Last Voyage?

Answer - The former Ile De France was the ship in 'The Last Voyage'
courtesy of David Rodstein

Cruise News - April 1, 2013

Carnival Miracle will operate another week-long Mexican Riviera cruise then embark on a 15-day Hawaii voyage departing Long Beach April 14 and arriving Vancouver April 29, 2013, visiting Hilo, Kona, Nawiliwili, Kahului, and Honolulu.

Carnival Miracle will then offer a special eight-day Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Seattle, positioning the vessel for a summer schedule of seven-day Alaska cruises round-trip from Seattle May 7 to Sept. 10. Those voyages will visit Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as Victoria, British Columbia, and scenic cruising of Tracy Arm Fjord.

Upon the completion of its Alaska season, Carnival Miracle will offer another 15-day Hawaii cruise from Vancouver to Long Beach Sept. 17 to Oct. 2, then resume its Mexican Riviera program from Long Beach. Carnival Miracle’s West Coast deployment also includes three round-trip Hawaii cruises from Long Beach departing Oct. 19 and Dec. 7, 2013, and Jan. 18, 2014.

Following the ship's transatlantic voyage and series of exciting inaugural events, Norwegian Breakaway, the largest cruise ship to ever be constructed in Germany, will sail seven-day cruises from New York City to Bermuda under the command of Captain Evans Hoyt, an experienced seafarer, with more than 30 years at sea. He joined Norwegian Cruise Line in 2005. Previously serving as Captain of the company's U.S. flagged vessel, Pride of America, Captain Hoyt is responsible for all aspects of the ship, its guests and crew. He also served as Captain aboard three additional ships within the Norwegian fleet, including Norwegian Spirit. Captain Hoyt graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in New York in 1982. Born in Morocco, the son of a U.S. diplomat, he has lived in many different countries. Showing his true passion for the sea, he and his wife sail the world on their sailboat during his time off.

While Captain Hoyt is enjoying his vacation, Captain Hakan Svedung will take the helm of Norwegian Breakaway. He has been at sea for 35 years and is currently captain of Norwegian Breakaway. Captain Svedung, who lives in Sweden, has joined Norwegian in 2006; prior to that he worked for Star Cruises, one of Norwegian's shareholders, for 12 years. Both captains are looking forward to this exciting and challenging new role.

Norwegian also announced that Denis Prguda will serve as Norwegian Breakaway's Hotel Director. Denis began his career at Norwegian in 1997 on board the Leeward and has since held a variety of positions on numerous ships in Norwegian's fleet. His previous positions have included Food and Beverage Director and Assistant Hotel Director. He was promoted to Hotel Director in 2008. As Hotel Director, he has led teams on Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Breakaway. When he is not on board, Denis spends his vacation with his family, including his wife and two daughters, in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

"We carefully chose these seasoned veterans to lead the on board team that will launch the most extraordinary ship in our company's history," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "These team members have a proven track record as successful leaders in our operations team and possess the dedication and passion that will make the launch of Norwegian Breakaway in New York City our most successful new ship launch to date."

Norwegian will showcase Norwegian Breakaway to travel partners and media in both Europe and the United States during four inaugural sailings, prior to the ship entering weekly summer service to Bermuda from New York City. Following delivery on April 25, 2013, Norwegian Breakaway will sail to Rotterdam for a two-night inaugural cruise departing on April 26, followed by a one-night cruise from Rotterdam to London (Southampton) on April 28, and then a one-night inaugural event in London (Southampton) on April 29. Following her transatlantic crossing from London (Southampton) to New York on April 30, the ship will be christened in New York City on May 8, followed by two, two-night inaugural cruises. Following the inaugural events, the ship will set sail on a series of seven-day cruises to Bermuda beginning on May 12.

When Kennedy was found by her husband in their cabin she had a head laceration which lead to the FBI categorize her death as "suspicious" until a medical examiner could complete an autopsy to determine the actual cause of death. The autopsy results were released last Thursday and concluded that Kennedy suffered a heart failure and died suddenly. The cut on her forehead was determined to have happened when she fell.

The 2,446-passenger Enchantment of the Seas sails out of Baltimore on seven-night cruises that include port calls to Port Canaveral, Nassau and CocoCay, the Bahamas.

Guests can select from a series of multiple departures ranging from 10- to 14-day sailings round-trip from Sydney, Australia, or Sydney to or from Auckland, New Zealand, between October 2013 and March 2014. New Zealand itineraries give guests a chance to experience some of the most amazing scenic cruising in the world, including the dramatic Fiordland National Park and Bay of Plenty, renowned for its majestic beaches. These itineraries also visit both the North and South Islands of New Zealand with calls at the popular ports of Wellington, Napier and Tauranga.

"Over the past few years the popularity of the Australia region has grown tremendously because of its beauty, diversity and friendly citizens, with many travelers making it their top 'must-do' trip of a lifetime," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "Our array of itineraries includes popular ports, stunning island visits, extended stays, overnight calls and enticing pre- and post-cruise options to make the trip 'Down Under' a memorable experience."

Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Voyages - In 2013-14 Oosterdam sails a total of four 14-day Australia and New Zealand cruises from Auckland to Sydney or reverse Oct. 27 and Nov. 10, 2013, and Feb. 2 and 16, 2014. Featured ports of call include Melbourne, Australia; Hobart, Tasmania; Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne and Christchurch, New Zealand, and scenic cruising at Fiordland National Park.

Three 14-day New Zealand Discovery voyages depart on Oosterdam round-trip from Sydney Dec. 8, 2013, and Jan. 19 and March 16, 2014. During those voyages throughout New Zealand port calls include Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Akaroa, Gisborne, Milford Sound, Napier, Tauranga and the Bay of Islands.

Five additional sailings to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific include Oosterdam's 14-day Pacific Treasures cruises round-trip from Sydney Nov. 24 and Dec. 22, 2013 (holiday voyage), and Jan. 5 and March 2 and 30, 2014. Those cruises feature more exotic and lesser-known tropical ports at the South Pacific islands of Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji.

Holland America Line offers several longer itineraries throughout the season, including Volendam's 34-day Australia Circumnavigation. This voyage is round-trip from Sydney Oct. 20, 2013, and features more than 20 ports as well as scenic cruising in the remote Ribbon Reef and Far North Regions. Calls during the counterclockwise trip around the continent include Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin, Exmouth, Freemantle (Perth overnight), Esperance, Port Lincoln, Adelaide (overnight), Kangaroo Island, Melbourne and Burnie, Australia; Hobart, Tasmania; Komodo Island, Indonesia, and a beautiful sunrise call at Lizard Island and sunset call at Booby Island off the coast of Australia. The ship also visits the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

19-day Great Barrier Reef - Travel Melbourne to Singapore on the Volendam departing Nov. 20, 2013. Featuring two days of scenic cruising in The Great Barrier Reef with stops at Sydney, Burnie, Hamilton Island, Cairns and Darwin, Australia; Komodo Island, Bali and Semarang, Indonesia before arriving in Singapore.

Trans-Pacific Crossing Itineraries - One-of-a-kind itineraries also are offered at the beginning and end of the season sailing from North America to the Pacific region. Volendam's 21- or 24-day South Pacific Crossing departs Los Angeles, Calif., or Vancouver, B.C., for Sydney Sept. 25 and Sept. 28, 2013. Oosterdam's 24- or 27-day South Pacific Crossing departs Los Angeles, Calif., or Seattle, Wash., for Sydney Sept. 29 and Oct. 2, 2013, and includes an overnight call at Honolulu, Hawaii. Oosterdam returns to North America on a 28- or 29-day South Pacific Crossing from Sydney to Seattle or Vancouver April 13, 2014.

The repositioning cruises provide an excellent opportunity to visit the South Pacific and Hawaii, as well as enjoy more relaxing days at sea.

“Jason and Eric continue to bring exceptional knowledge and experience to the team, and their promotions will further strengthen the leadership structure in the seagoing human resources department,” said Kimmel. “Their broad skill sets aptly prepare them for their elevated roles, and I look forward to working with them in their new capacities.”

As director, Pedersen is responsible for policy development and enhancement, rotation planning, skill-set and job-description design and development, compensation development and administration, air block-space planning, manning agent collaboration and the collective bargaining process. In addition, Pedersen also will oversee the further enhancement and integration of the Career Roadmap for marine hotel officers and crew, as well as increase his involvement in the assessment and resolution of personnel matters for marine hotel officers and crew.

Since joining Holland America Line in 1995, Pedersen has held several key positions in both the seagoing and land-based human resources operations. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Central Washington University with a specialization in human resources.

In his new position, Visser is responsible for officer rotation planning, manning agent oversight and collaboration, the collective bargaining process, deck and engine officer salary administration, officer retention and satisfaction improvement initiatives, and maritime-compliance audit assistance. In addition, he will direct the line’s new deck and engine officer Career Roadmap initiative, including improving officer communication, building and deploying a professional development program, enhancing skillsets and job descriptions, designing new and refining existing training programs, and assessment and resolution of personnel matters for deck and engine officers.

Visser holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in marine engineering, a master of nautical science and a University of Washington Executive Development Program certificate.

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	33.96	+ 0.95%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	32.62	+ 2.45%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	3.35	- 3.74%
Norwegian Cruise Line (Nasdq: NCLH)	29.93	+ 1.53%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
Which former Atlantic liner ended her long career being subjected to partial flooding and numerous explosions as she served as a floating prop in the 1959 MGM film The Last Voyage?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question - Which ship carried U.S. president Woodrow Wilson to France for the Versailles peace conference?

Answer - The former German liner George Washington, impounded in Hoboken, carried Woodrow Wilson to Europe.
courtesy of Jonathan Fostik